The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox
A lion and a bear are discussing who is stronger. A fox overhears their conversation and suggests they settle the matter by seeing who can catch him. The lion and the bear agree, but the fox outsmarts them both. The lion tries to catch the fox by chasing him into a thicket, where he becomes stuck. Meanwhile, the bear tries to catch the fox by waiting for him at a nearby river, where he is swept away by the current. The fox escapes unharmed and returns to taunt the lion and the bear, who are still arguing over who is stronger. The moral of the story is that it's not always easy to determine who is strongest or most powerful, as there may be others who can outsmart them. This fable highlights the dangers of underestimating one's opponents and the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges. It also suggests that true strength lies not just in physical power, but also in intelligence and cunning.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 128 words
First lines
A Lion and a Bear were fighting for possession of a kid, which they had both seized at the same moment. The battle was long and fierce, and at length both of them were exhausted, and lay upon the ground severely wounded and gasping for breath. A Fox had all the time been prowling round and watching the fight: and when he saw the combatants lying there too weak to move, he slipped in and seized the kid, and ran off with it. They looked on helplessly, and one said to the other, "Here we've been mauling each other all this while, and no one the better for it except the Fox! "
What this Textopian page supports
The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox 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, Classic Literature, Educational
- Length: 128 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox 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 Lion, the Bear, and the Fox?
- 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 Bat And The Weasels by Esopo
- The Lion The Wolf And The Fox by Esopo
- The Wolf The Fox And The Ape by Esopo
- The Lion The Fox And The Stag by Esopo
- The Eagle The Jackdaw And The Shepherd by Esopo
- The Tunny Fish And The Dolphin by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — The use of anthropomorphized wild animals as characters is characteristic of the fable genre. Moreover, the author, Esopo, is known for his fables.
- Children's Literature — Esopo's fables are typically used to teach moral lessons, which is a common theme in children's literature.
- Fantasy — The book features talking animals, placing it under the fantasy genre.
- Classic Literature — Esopo's fables have been recognized and told for centuries, making this work a part of classic literature.
Tags
fable · animals · morality · wisdom · friendship · deception · cunning · nature · adventure · conflict · survival · loyalty