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A Lion lay sick in his den, unable to provide himself with food.

So he said to his friend the Fox, who came to ask how he did, "My

good friend, I wish you would go to yonder wood and beguile the

big Stag, who lives there, to come to my den: I have a fancy to

make my dinner off a stag's heart and brains." The Fox went to

the wood and found the Stag and said to him, "My dear sir, you're

in luck. You know the Lion, our King: well, he's at the point of

death, and has appointed you his successor to rule over the

beasts. I hope you won't forget that I was the first to bring you

the good news. And now I must be going back to him; and, if you

take my advice, you'll come too and be with him at the last." The

Stag was highly flattered, and followed the Fox to the Lion's

den, suspecting nothing. No sooner had he got inside than the

Lion sprang upon him, but he misjudged his spring, and the Stag

got away with only his ears torn, and returned as fast as he

could to the shelter of the wood.