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The Wild Donkey and The Lion

Powerful lion proposes alliance to wild donkey, fox, and wolf for shared food, but lion takes all portions, leaving others empty-handed.

A lion claiming the largest share of meat while a donkey, fox, and wolf watch empty-handed
Text Version

Once upon a time in the deep forest, there was a powerful lion. The lion suggested an alliance to a wild donkey, a fox, and a wolf, with a promise of sharing a bounty of food. They agreed, eager to work together for an easier hunt.

One day, they were successful in their hunt, capturing a large deer. The donkey, with the strength to divide, split the deer into four equal parts. However, the lion stood with a stern gaze, saying, "I am the king of the jungle, the strongest of all, thus the first portion is mine."

The other animals nodded in silent agreement. The lion continued, "I am also the bravest, risking my life in the hunt, so I will take the second part." The animals glanced at each other, but nobody dared to challenge the lion.

The lion gestured to the third part, "This one is for my contribution to our alliance. As the one who suggested this, it should belong to me." Then, the lion turned to the last portion, "Any of you who desires the final part, step forward and take it."

However, knowing the consequences, none of the animals dared to claim it. The lion smiled and claimed the final portion. The donkey, the fox, and the wolf had teamed up with the lion hoping for an easy meal, but they were left with nothing.

Once upon a time, deep in a forest that was so tangled it would mess up your hair just looking at it, lived a lion who thought he was the "Big Cheese" of the woods. "Listen up, you fine furry folks!" he roared to a wild donkey, a fox, and a wolf. "Who wants to join my Super Cool Hunting Team? We'll share snacks, I promise!"

The donkey stopped munching on some grdonkey and said, "Share snacks? Count me in!" The fox, busy trying to solve a squirrel-made puzzle, piped up, "Snacks? Did you say snacks? I'm all ears... and tail." The wolf paused his howling practice and just nodded. He was too cool for school, you see.

So off they went, running through the forest like they were in a relay race at the Animal Olympics. After tripping over roots and ducking under branches, they caught a big, juicy deer. A really big one, like the size of a mini-van.

"Step aside," said the donkey, flexing his hooves like he was a pro wrestler. "I'm good at sharing. Watch this!" He divided the deer into four even pieces as if he was cutting a birthday cake.

But before anyone could say "Yummy," the lion cleared his throat. "Ahem! I'm the king around here, so the first piece is mine. It's the Circle of Life, or the Circle of Pie. Something like that."

Everyone nodded because, you know, he had big teeth.

The lion wasn't done. "And this second piece is mine because I'm the bravest. I even watch scary movies without closing my eyes!"

The donkey, the fox, and the wolf looked at each other but didn't say a word. They didn't want to end up in a lion's tummy, obviously.

The lion pointed to the third piece and said, "This one's for being the smart cookie who came up with this whole plan. Brains should get snacks too!"

Finally, the lion smirked and looked at the last remaining piece. "Who wants the last slice? Don't be shy; it's like a game of musical chairs, but with dinner!"

No one moved an inch. They knew better than to argue with a lion. That's like arguing with your mom about bedtime; you just can't win.

The lion chuckled and said, "Alrighty then, looks like I get the leftovers!"

And that's how the donkey, the fox, and the wolf learned that when you team up with someone who thinks they're the "Big Cheese," you might just end up with crumbs. But hey, at least they had a fun run, and in the forest, you've got to look on the bright side—or the lion might do it for you!

In the heart of the woods where the tall trees grow,
A lion, mighty and grand, put on quite the show.
He asked of an donkey, a fox, and a wolf to be,
Partners in a hunt, and share the bounty they'd see.

Together they worked, with strength and with glee,
Until they caught a deer, as big as can be!
The donkey, strong and true, split the deer just right,
Into four even parts, a very fair sight.

But the lion declared, with a voice strong and fine,
“The first share of the deer, it should surely be mine.
For I am the king, the mightiest you see,
So the very first portion belongs to just me.“

The animals watched, not making a peep,
As the lion continued to claim, and his promises not keep.
“The next,“ he said, “is for my bravery so grand,
For taking the risks and leading our band.“

He gestured once more, “The third's for my plan,
Without my great idea, we wouldn't have began.“
Then to the last bit, he made quite the claim,
“Who wishes this part? Come, tell me your name.“

But the wolf, the fox, and the donkey knew the game,
None stepped forth, none called out their name.
The lion grinned wide, taking the last with no fuss,
And the donkey, fox, and wolf knew their trust was a bust.

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Word Finder
  1. Tangled

    Mixed up in a messy way.
  2. Roared

    Made a loud, deep sound like a lion.
  3. Piped up

    Spoke quickly or loudly.
  4. Relay race

    A race where runners take turns.
  5. Flexing

    Bending muscles to show strength.
  6. Circle of Life

    The idea that life keeps going.
  7. Smirked

    Smiled in a silly or mean way.
  8. Crumbs

    Small pieces of food, usually leftover.
  9. Argue

    Disagree or fight over something.
  10. Leftovers

    Food that is not eaten and saved.
  1. Mighty

    Very strong or powerful, hard to beat.
  2. Bounty

    The good things or rewards you get.
  3. Glee

    Happiness or joy, excited feeling.
  4. Declared

    Said something in a very clear way.
  5. Portion

    A part of something, a piece.
  6. Peep

    A small sound or quiet voice.
  7. Bravery

    Being brave, not afraid of danger.
  8. Gestured

    Moved hands to show what you mean.
  9. Claim

    To say something is yours or to take.
  10. Grinned

    Smiled in a big or funny way.
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Lion claimed all parts of the deer for himself?
  2. How did the Donkey, the Fox, and the Wolf feel when the Lion took everything?
  3. Can you think of a time when someone didn't share fairly, like the Lion?
  4. What does this story teach us about power and fairness?
  5. How can we ensure that we always share fairly with others in our daily life?
Fable Quotes

Equality means everyone gets a fair share, regardless of power or status.

A heart driven by greed often forgets the virtue of sharing.

Alliances built on false promises are but sandcastles against the tide.