Aesop's Fables : The Lion's Share

The Lion's Share

The Lion went once a-hunting along with the Fox, the Jackal,and the Wolf.They hunted and they hunted till at last theysurprised a Stag, and soon took its life.Then came the questionhow the spoil should be divided."Quarter me this Stag," roaredthe Lion; so the other animals skinned it and cut it into fourparts.Then the Lion took his stand in front of the carcass andpronounced judgment:The first quarter is for me in my capacityas King of Beasts; the second is mine as arbiter; another sharecomes to me for my part in the chase; and as for the fourthquarter, well, as for that, I should like to see which of you willdare to lay a paw upon it."

"Humph," grumbled the Fox as he walked away with his tailbetween his legs; but he spoke in a low growl"You may share the labours of the great,but you will not share the spoil."