The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox
This fable tells the story of a lion who befriends an ass and a fox to gain their help in hunting. The ass provides strength, the fox provides cunning, and the lion provides bravery. However, when they catch their prey, the lion wants all the credit for himself, and the other two animals are left with nothing.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Satire · 119 words
First lines
The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox went out to hunt. They caught a large number of animals, and the Lion told the Ass to divide them up. The Ass divided them into three equal parts and said: "Now, take them!"
The Lion grew angry, ate up the Ass, and told the Fox to divide them up anew. The Fox collected them all into one heap, and left a small bit for herself. The Lion looked at it and said:
"Clever Fox! Who taught you to divide so well?"
She said:
What this Textopian page supports
The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox is listed on Textopian as a fable by Leo Tolstoy, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Satire, Children's Literature, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 119 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox by Leo Tolstoy
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Cow And The Billy Goat by Leo Tolstoy
- A Fable by Mark Twain
- The Duck And The Moon by Leo Tolstoy
- The Hare And The Harrier by Leo Tolstoy
- The Hares And The Frogs by Leo Tolstoy
- The Monkey And The Pease by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson.
- Allegory — The characters and their actions symbolize broader themes of cunning, power dynamics, and survival.
- Satire — The story critiques social hierarchies and the nature of exploitation.
- Children's Literature — The simple plot and moral make it suitable for a younger audience.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Social Commentary · Animal Fable · Russian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Philosophical Fiction · Moral Allegory · Critique of Society · Commentary on Human Nature · Comedy · Farce