Aesop’s fables: Reading the signs of danger before distress

Retold by Panchamee Hewavissenti

An old and feeble lion was lying in its den in hunger for several days . It was so feeble and unable to go out of its den to prey on other animals.

The wise lion pondered about a strategy to find its food, made an announcement that it was ill. Animals visited the lion after the announcement. It’s strategy worked and when animals went inside, the lion seized and devoured them.

After a number of animals had been killed, the fox sensed something awkward happening inside the lion’s lair and went to see the ill lion. The lion seeing the fox standing outside the lair invited the fox to come in.

Then the fox replied “I would have certainly come to see you inside the lair, if I haven’t seen the footprints of many who have gone in but not seen any footprint to show that they have gone out of the lair.

Moral of the story

Wise people are always on alert when they see signs of danger and by being vigilant they are able to evade disaster.