Aesop

The Lion and the Eagle

Summary

This story is a fable about trust and commitment, featuring an Eagle who proposes an alliance with a Lion for mutual benefit. The Eagle suggests they work together, but the Lion hesitates, expressing distrust because the Eagle can easily abandon their agreement by flying away. The tale highlights the importance of reliability and trustworthiness in forming alliances or friendships. The Lion's concern about the Eagle’s fly-away capability symbolizes the idea that true commitment requires assurance and accountability, especially when one party has the capability to escape responsibilities. Overall, it serves as a cautionary lesson about the nature of trust and the need for assurance in partnerships.

Read Online

An Eagle stayed his flight and entreated a Lion to make an alliance with him to their mutual advantage. The Lion replied, “I have no objection, but you must excuse me for requiring you to find surety for your good faith, for how can I trust anyone as a friend who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he pleases?”

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