The Donkey In The Lion’s Skin

Summary

This brief fable tells the story of an Ass who finds a Lion's skin in the forest and decides to wear it to scare other animals. Disguised as a Lion, he hides and leaps out at unsuspecting creatures, who flee in terror. Thrilled by the effect his costume has, he brays loudly in excitement, revealing his true identity. A wise Fox, realizing the truth from the Ass' distinctive bray, humorously points out that if the Ass had remained silent, he might have maintained the illusion of being a Lion. The story teaches the moral lesson that even the most elaborate disguises can be undone by carelessness and that true identity will always reveal itself.

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An Ass found a Lion’s skin left in the forest by a hunter. He dressed himself in it, and amused himself by hiding in a thicket and rushing out suddenly at the animals who passed that way. All took to their heels the moment they saw him.

The Ass was so pleased to see the animals running away from him, just as if he were King Lion himself, that he could not keep from expressing his delight by a loud, harsh bray. A Fox, who ran with the rest, stopped short as soon as he heard the voice. Approaching the Ass, he said with a laugh:

“If you had kept your mouth shut you might have frightened me, too. But you gave yourself away with that silly bray.”

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