The Fox Who Served a Lion by Esopo
The Fox Who Served a Lion, by Esopo: A fable about a cunning fox who serves a powerful lion in exchange for protection and safety. The fox's loyalty is tested when the lion becomes ill and the fox must decide whether to continue serving him or to take advantage of his vulnerability.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 132 words
First lines
A Lion had a Fox to attend on him, and whenever they went hunting the Fox found the prey and the Lion fell upon it and killed it, and then they divided it between them in certain proportions. But the Lion always got a very large share, and the Fox a very small one, which didn't please the latter at all; so he determined to set up on his own account. He began by trying to steal a lamb from a flock of sheep: but the shepherd saw him and set his dogs on him. The hunter was now the hunted, and was very soon caught and despatched by the dogs.
Better servitude with safety than freedom with danger.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fox Who Served a Lion is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1668 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Esopo
- Date: 1668 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Moral Story
- Length: 132 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fox Who Served a Lion by Esopo
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fox Who Served a Lion?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lion The Fox And The Stag by Esopo
- The Weasel And The Man by Esopo
- The Wolf And The Horse by Esopo
- The Dog The Cock And The Fox by Esopo
- The Farmer And The Fox by Esopo
- The Wolf And The Lion by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is renowned for writing fables, and the title of the book indicates an anthropomorphized animal tale, a typical characteristic of fables.
- Children's Literature — Fables are frequently targeted towards a younger audience due to their moral lessons and easily understood narratives.
- Fantasy — The concept of animals having human-like qualities such as serving others is a primary example of fantasy elements.
- Moral Story — Most of Esopo's fables have a moral or a lesson at the end, it can be inferred this one does as well.
Tags
fable · animal · lion · fox · friendship · loyalty · cunning · wisdom · morality · betrayal · power · survival