2.35. THE UNDUTIFUL YOUNG LION. Among other good counsels that an old experienced Lion gave to his whelp, this was one, that he should never contend with a man: "for," says he, "if ever you do, you'll be worsted."
The little Lion gave his father the hearing, and kept the advice in his thought, but it never went near his heart. When he came to be grown up, afterwards, and in the flower of his strength and vigour, about he ranges to look for a man to grapple with.
In his ramble he met with a yoke of oxen, and then with a horse, saddled and bridled, and severally asked them if they were men; but they saying they were not, he goes after this to one that was cleaving of blocks: "D'ye hear?" says the Lion, "you seem to be a man."
"And a man I am," says the fellow.
"That's well," quoth the Lion, "and dare you fight with me?"
"Yes," says the man, "I dare: why, I can tear all these blocks to pieces, you see. Put your feet now into this gap, where you see an iron thing there, and try what you can do."
The Lion presently put his paws into the gaping of the wood, and with one lusty pluck made it give way, and out drops the wedge; the wood immediately closing upon it, there was the Lion caught by the toes. The Wood-man presently upon this raises the country, and the Lion finding what a strait he was in, gave one hearty twitch and got his feet out of the trap, but left his claws behind him.
So away he goes back to his father, all lame and bloody, with this confession in his mouth: "Alas! my dear father," says he, "this had never been, if I had followed your advice."
MORAL. The vengeance of Heaven, sooner or later, treads upon the heels of wilful disobedience to parents. [more info]
The little Lion gave his father the hearing, and kept the advice in his thought, but it never went near his heart. When he came to be grown up, afterwards, and in the flower of his strength and vigour, about he ranges to look for a man to grapple with.
In his ramble he met with a yoke of oxen, and then with a horse, saddled and bridled, and severally asked them if they were men; but they saying they were not, he goes after this to one that was cleaving of blocks: "D'ye hear?" says the Lion, "you seem to be a man."
"And a man I am," says the fellow.
"That's well," quoth the Lion, "and dare you fight with me?"
"Yes," says the man, "I dare: why, I can tear all these blocks to pieces, you see. Put your feet now into this gap, where you see an iron thing there, and try what you can do."
The Lion presently put his paws into the gaping of the wood, and with one lusty pluck made it give way, and out drops the wedge; the wood immediately closing upon it, there was the Lion caught by the toes. The Wood-man presently upon this raises the country, and the Lion finding what a strait he was in, gave one hearty twitch and got his feet out of the trap, but left his claws behind him.
So away he goes back to his father, all lame and bloody, with this confession in his mouth: "Alas! my dear father," says he, "this had never been, if I had followed your advice."
MORAL. The vengeance of Heaven, sooner or later, treads upon the heels of wilful disobedience to parents. [more info]
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