The Lion and the Bull by Esopo
The Lion and the Bull, written by Esopo, is a fable about a lion who spares the life of a bull he has caught, despite being hungry. The lion decides to let the bull go, reasoning that if he kills it, he will only be able to feed himself for a day, but if he lets it go, he will have a constant supply of milk from its offspring. The moral of the story is that kindness and mercy can lead to long-term benefits, rather than just short-term gratification.
By Esopo · First published 1603 · Genre: Fable, Children's literature, Fantasy · 160 words
First lines
A Lion saw a fine fat Bull pasturing among a herd of cattle and cast about for some means of getting him into his clutches; so he sent him word that he was sacrificing a sheep, and asked if he would do him the honour of dining with him. The Bull accepted the invitation, but, on arriving at the Lion's den, he saw a great array of saucepans and spits, but no sign of a sheep; so he turned on his heel and walked quietly away. The Lion called after him in an injured tone to ask the reason, and the Bull turned round and said, "I have reason enough. When I saw all your preparations it struck me at once that the victim was to be a Bull and not a sheep. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Lion and the Bull is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1603 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: 1603 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's literature, Fantasy, Classic Literature, Animal Fiction
- Length: 160 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lion and the Bull by Esopo
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Lion and the Bull?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Lion And The Three Bulls by Esopo
- The Lioness And The Vixen by Esopo
- The Stag And The Lion by Esopo
- The Horse And The Stag by Esopo
- The Wolf And The Lion by Esopo
- The Ass The Fox And The Lion by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is known for his fables, and 'The Lion and the Bull' follows the classic structure of his tales, using animals to deliver moral lessons.
- Children's literature — This simple story featuring anthropomorphic animals is suitable for and often enjoyed by children, and is often used to instruct or provide moral guidance.
- Fantasy — Given the anthropomorphic characteristics of the animals, this story falls under the Fantasy genre.
- Classic Literature — The works of Esopo have been enjoyed for centuries, making it a part of classic literature.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · friendship · conflict · wisdom · courage · nature · allegory · lesson · trust · betrayal