After waiting many a weary day to revenge himself upon a Lion for some unconsidered manifestation of contempt, a Skunk finally saw him coming, and posting himself in the path ahead uttered the inaudible discord of his race. Observing that the Lion gave no attention to the matter, the Skunk, keeping carefully out of reach, said:
"Sir, I beg leave to point out that I have set on foot an implacable odour."
"My dear fellow," the Lion replied, "you have taken a needless trouble; I already knew that you were a Skunk."
What is he mocking?
Slanderers who attack their betters gain nothing when everyone already knows what they are.
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Discussion questions
- What did the Skunk hope to achieve by confronting the Lion?
- How does the Lion’s response reflect wisdom?
- Can you think of a situation in your life where you might have put effort into something unnecessary?
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Read it in another language
- عمل لا داعي له · العربية
- Eine unnötige Arbeit · Deutsch
- Un trabajo innecesario · Español
- یک تلاش بیهوده · فارسی
- Un travail inutile · Français
- एक व्यर्थ का परिश्रम। · हिन्दी
- Una fatica inutile · Italiano
- Um Trabalho Desnecessário · Português
- Напрасный труд · Русский
- అనవసరమైన శ్రమ · తెలుగు
- Isang Walang Kuwentang Paggawa · Tagalog
- Марна праця · Українська
- 无谓的劳动 · 中文
