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Once upon a time, the Lion complained to Jupiter, the god of all gods, that he should not have to live with the fear of a rooster. The Lion expressed his disappointment in being the king of the beasts and yet living in fear of a much smaller animal.
Jupiter replied to the Lion, "You have the heart of a lion, which makes you the bravest of all the animals. You should be grateful for the courage I have given you and not worry about a little bird."
Still, the Lion was not convinced and went off into the jungle, feeling despondent. As he was wandering, he came across an Elephant. The Lion struck up a conversation with the Elephant and noticed that he kept flapping his ears.
The Lion asked, "Why are you flapping your ears so much?"
The Elephant replied, "I am afraid of a tiny gnat getting inside my ears. If it gets in there, it could kill me, so I must keep flapping my ears to keep them away."
The Lion realized that even the largest and mightiest of creatures could be afraid of something much smaller and that his fear of a rooster was nothing to be ashamed of.
And so, the Lion went back to ruling over his kingdom, no longer feeling ashamed of his fear.
Once upon a time, the Lion complained to Jupiter, the king of the gods, that he should not have to be scared of a rooster. The Lion felt disappointed that, even though he was the king of all animals, he was afraid of such a small creature.
Jupiter said to the Lion, "You are the bravest of all animals because of the courage I gave you. You should be thankful for that and not worry about a little bird."
But the Lion still felt unsure and walked into the jungle, feeling sad. While he was walking, he met an Elephant. The Lion started talking to the Elephant and noticed the Elephant kept flapping his ears.
The Lion asked, "Why do you keep flapping your ears?"
The Elephant answered, "I’m afraid of a small gnat getting into my ears. If it does, it could really hurt me, so I keep flapping my ears to keep them out."
The Lion then understood that even the biggest and strongest animals can be afraid of something small, and that his fear of the rooster was nothing to be embarrassed about.
After that, the Lion went back to being king, no longer ashamed of his fear.
Once upon a time, the Lion complained to Jupiter, the king of the gods, that he should not have to be scared of a rooster. The Lion felt disappointed that, even though he was the king of all animals, he was afraid of such a small creature.
Jupiter said to the Lion, "You are the bravest of all animals because of the courage I gave you. You should be thankful for that and not worry about a little bird."
But the Lion still felt unsure and walked into the jungle, feeling sad. While he was walking, he met an Elephant. The Lion started talking to the Elephant and noticed the Elephant kept flapping his ears.
The Lion asked, "Why do you keep flapping your ears?"
The Elephant answered, "I’m afraid of a small gnat getting into my ears. If it does, it could really hurt me, so I keep flapping my ears to keep them out."
The Lion then understood that even the biggest and strongest animals can be afraid of something small, and that his fear of the rooster was nothing to be embarrassed about.
After that, the Lion went back to being king, no longer ashamed of his fear.
Once upon a time in a not-so-far-away jungle, a Lion was having a proper moan. "Jupiter, big boss of all gods, why do I gotta be scared of a cluckin' rooster?" he grumbled, sounding like he'd just eaten a sour bug. "I'm the king here, not scared of a thing, except maybe bath time!"
Jupiter, lounging on a cloud, chuckled, "Well, Mr. Lion, you've got bravery in spades, you do! You're the bravest of the brave, like a knight but furrier! So don't fuss over a bird that can't even sing properly."
The Lion wasn't having it though. Off he stomped, grumbling about roosters and feeling as mixed up as a salad. As he wandered, he bumped into an Elephant, who was flapping his ears like they were going out of style.
"Why the flap-flap, big guy?" asked the Lion, with a tilt of his head.
The Elephant, looking a bit like a worried walrus, replied, "I'm keeping gnats out, see? Those tiny things could give me a real earache. It's a full-time job, this ear-flapping, like being a windmill that never stops."
The Lion's eyes twinkled with understanding. "So you, big as a house, are scared of a bug as small as a crumb?"
"That's the size of it," said the Elephant, nodding his giant head.
"Well, butter my biscuits," the Lion laughed, "I guess my rooster worry isn't so odd after all."
With a spring in his step and a chuckle in his roar, the Lion went back to his kingdom, feeling as proud as a peacock and twice as colorful. His fear of a rooster wasn't silly; it was as normal as mud pies and rain dances.
Upon a golden savannah's embrace,
Where creatures roamed with wondrous grace,
Lived a Lion, king and proud,
Whose roar was mighty, strong and loud.
Yet this mighty king, you see,
Held a secret dread, a curious plea,
To Jupiter, the god on high,
"Why fear a rooster?" was his cry.
"You're brave and strong," the god replied,
"Your lion's heart you cannot hide,
Fear not the bird, small and slight,
Your courage shines, pure and bright."
But Lion's heart was heavy still,
He wandered off, o'er vale and hill,
'Til Elephant he chanced to find,
A creature wise, and strong, and kind.
"Why flap your ears?" the Lion said,
His voice a mix of wonder and dread.
"I fear a gnat," the Elephant told,
"A tiny bug, yet brave and bold."
"If it enters my ear, it might be my doom,
So I flap and flap, all afternoon."
The Lion's eyes then opened wide,
His fear of roosters no more a slide.
For even great ones can be scared,
Of things that seem small, unprepared,
So back he went, his kingdom to keep,
His fear forgotten, his rule complete.
Said he wasn’t happy about something.
Felt afraid or worried about something.
Feeling sad because things didn’t go well.
Any living thing, like an animal or insect.
The most fearless or courageous.
Feeling happy for something good given.
Not feeling confident or certain about something.
A place with many trees and animals.
Moving back and forth quickly, like wings.
Feeling shy or ashamed about something.
Said he wasn’t happy about something.
Felt afraid or worried about something.
Feeling sad because things didn’t go well.
Any living thing, like an animal or insect.
The most fearless or courageous.
Feeling happy for something good given.
Not feeling confident or certain about something.
A place with many trees and animals.
Moving back and forth quickly, like wings.
Feeling shy or ashamed about something.
Why was the Lion unhappy when he talked to Jupiter?
What advice did Jupiter give to the Lion about being afraid?
What did the Lion notice the Elephant doing while they were talking?
Why was the Elephant afraid of the small gnat?
How did the Lion feel at the end of the story?
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