The Lion, the Cock, and the Ass is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, published in 1899. The story follows three animals - a lion, a cock, and an ass - who are brought together to determine which of them is the most intelligent. Despite their different personalities and abilities, they all believe themselves to be the smartest, leading to a series of humorous misunderstandings and conflicts. In the end, the animals realize that intelligence comes in many forms and that each of them has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Fable, Animal Fiction, Satire