The Lion in Love
Aesop | Greece
A mighty lion falls in love with a girl, lets his defenses be taken away, but is ultimately rejected.
Once upon a time, in a thick forest, there was a strong lion who fell in love with a kind young girl. The girl and the lion became very good friends. The lion liked her so much that he wanted to marry her.
Feeling overwhelmed by his love, the lion went to the girl’s family and shared his feelings for their daughter. The family was scared, but they saw a chance to keep their village safe. They said to the lion, "If you really love her, you must show us by letting us take away your claws and teeth. This will prove that you won’t harm us."
The lion was so in love that he agreed without thinking it over. The family quickly took out his sharp teeth and claws, making him unable to defend himself. However, once the lion was gentle and harmless, the family sent him away, still afraid of his wild nature.
And so, the lion, who had been the strongest in the jungle, ended up weak and all by himself. He felt sad about losing his defenses because of a love that was not returned.
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