The Donkey and the Lion

The Donkey and the Lion. The donkey happened to cross paths with the lion and said to him, "Let's go up to the top of that mountain and I will show you that many animals are afraid of me, too!" The lion, laughing at the donkey's words, said, "Okay, let's go." When they got to the place, the donkey stood beside the mighty beast on a high peak and in low tones he began bellowing. When the foxes and the rabbits heard him, they started to run away. The donkey then said to the lion, "See who makes them afraid!" The lion is then said to have replied, "Perhaps your voice would have scared me, too, if I didn't know that you were a donkey."

Asinus et Leo. Asinus ediverso occurrit Leoni, cui sic dicere coepit, "Ascendamus in cacumen montis et ostendam tibi quia et multa animalia me timent." Leo, ridens Aselli verba, "Eamus" inquit. Cumque venissent ad locum, stans cum fera Asellus in edito loco voce summissa clamare coepit. Quem audientes, vulpes et lepores fugere coeperunt. At Asellus, "Vide quem timeant." Cui Leo contra sic dixisse fertur, "Poterat et me terrere vox tua, si non scirem Asinum te esse."

Notes. This is Steinhowel 4.10, which is Perry 151 in Perry's classification scheme. In other versions of this fable, the lion and the donkey are partners in the hunt; the donkey brays loudly in order to drive the animals into the lion's clutches. I like this version, though, where the donkey simply wants to show off for the lion for no reason other than his foolish pride!