The Wild Ass and The Lion

Once upon a time, deep in a forest that was so tangled it would mess up your hair just looking at it, lived a lion who thought he was the "Big Cheese" of the woods. "Listen up, you fine furry folks!" he roared to a wild ass, a fox, and a wolf. "Who wants to join my Super Cool Hunting Team? We'll share snacks, I promise!"

The ass stopped munching on some grass and said, "Share snacks? Count me in!" The fox, busy trying to solve a squirrel-made puzzle, piped up, "Snacks? Did you say snacks? I'm all ears... and tail." The wolf paused his howling practice and just nodded. He was too cool for school, you see.

So off they went, running through the forest like they were in a relay race at the Animal Olympics. After tripping over roots and ducking under branches, they caught a big, juicy deer. A really big one, like the size of a mini-van.

"Step aside," said the ass, flexing his hooves like he was a pro wrestler. "I'm good at sharing. Watch this!" He divided the deer into four even pieces as if he was cutting a birthday cake.

But before anyone could say "Yummy," the lion cleared his throat. "Ahem! I’m the king around here, so the first piece is mine. It’s the Circle of Life, or the Circle of Pie. Something like that."

Everyone nodded because, you know, he had big teeth.

The lion wasn't done. "And this second piece is mine because I'm the bravest. I even watch scary movies without closing my eyes!"

The ass, the fox, and the wolf looked at each other but didn't say a word. They didn't want to end up in a lion’s tummy, obviously.

The lion pointed to the third piece and said, "This one's for being the smart cookie who came up with this whole plan. Brains should get snacks too!"

Finally, the lion smirked and looked at the last remaining piece. "Who wants the last slice? Don't be shy; it’s like a game of musical chairs, but with dinner!"

No one moved an inch. They knew better than to argue with a lion. That's like arguing with your mom about bedtime; you just can't win.

The lion chuckled and said, "Alrighty then, looks like I get the leftovers!"

And that's how the ass, the fox, and the wolf learned that when you team up with someone who thinks they're the "Big Cheese," you might just end up with crumbs. But hey, at least they had a fun run, and in the forest, you've got to look on the bright side—or the lion might do it for you!

In the heart of the woods where the tall trees grow,
A lion, mighty and grand, put on quite the show.
He asked of an ass, a fox, and a wolf to be,
Partners in a hunt, and share the bounty they'd see.

Together they worked, with strength and with glee,
Until they caught a deer, as big as can be!
The ass, strong and true, split the deer just right,
Into four even parts, a very fair sight.

But the lion declared, with a voice strong and fine,
“The first share of the deer, it should surely be mine.
For I am the king, the mightiest you see,
So the very first portion belongs to just me.”

The animals watched, not making a peep,
As the lion continued to claim, and his promises not keep.
“The next,” he said, “is for my bravery so grand,
For taking the risks and leading our band.”

He gestured once more, “The third’s for my plan,
Without my great idea, we wouldn’t have began.”
Then to the last bit, he made quite the claim,
“Who wishes this part? Come, tell me your name.”

But the wolf, the fox, and the ass knew the game,
None stepped forth, none called out their name.
The lion grinned wide, taking the last with no fuss,
And the ass, fox, and wolf knew their trust was a bust.