The Old Hound
Aesop | Greece
Once a mighty hound, now old and frail, failed to catch a boar, pleading with his master to remember his former glory.
Once upon a time, there was an old hound. When he was younger, he was the strongest and bravest dog around. He could chase the fastest deer and even fight the toughest bears. He always came back a winner.
As the years passed, the hound grew old. His fur turned gray, he couldn't see well, and his sharp teeth became dull. But inside, he still felt like a great warrior.
One day, a wild boar appeared. Even though he was old, the hound jumped up to catch it, thinking of his glorious past. He grabbed the boar by the ear, but his old teeth couldn't hold on, and the boar ran away.
When the hound's owner arrived and saw the boar escaping, he was upset. He scolded the hound for letting the boar get away.
Hearing this, the hound looked up at his owner and said, "Master, my spirit is still strong, but my body is old. I fought as bravely as when I was young, but my teeth couldn't keep up. Please remember me as the strong dog I used to be, not for growing old."
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