The Old Lion
Story Summary
In the short story "The Old Lion," a once-mighty lion, now frail and ill, faces attacks from various animals seeking revenge or asserting dominance, culminating in humiliation from an ass. His lamentation that enduring insults from such a lowly creature feels like a second death underscores the poignant moral of the tale: true dignity is often tested in moments of vulnerability. This concise moral story is a powerful addition to short story collections with moral teachings, reminding readers of the challenges faced in the twilight of power.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that even the mighty can be humiliated in their weakness, and it is particularly degrading to suffer indignities from those who are lesser.
Historical Context
This story is reminiscent of Aesop's fables, which often feature animals that embody human traits and convey moral lessons. Originating in ancient Greece, these tales have been retold across cultures and eras, emphasizing themes of power dynamics and the vulnerabilities that come with age. The lion, a symbol of strength and nobility, facing indignities from lesser creatures, underscores the universal truth about respect and the consequences of hubris.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the idea that when someone in a position of power becomes vulnerable, it often invites not only justified retaliation from their equals but also unprovoked attacks from those who have long been oppressed. In modern life, this can be seen in scenarios where a powerful leader or organization faces downfall; while critics may emerge to hold them accountable, they can also attract the scorn of those who have previously suffered under their rule, often leading to the final downfall of the once-mighty. For example, consider a CEO of a major corporation who, after years of unethical practices, faces legal troubles and public scrutiny. As rivals seek to capitalize on their weakened state and expose past wrongdoings, lesser-known employees or stakeholders also come forward with grievances,
You May Also Like
The Horse and His Rider
In this heartwarming short story with a moral, a dedicated horse soldier initially treats his steed well during the war, but neglects and overworks the horse afterward. When war is declared again, the horse collapses under its heavy military gear, lamenting that the soldier has transformed it from a strong horse into a burdened ass, illustrating the consequences of neglect and mistreatment. This uplifting tale serves as a reminder that we must care for those who support us, as real-life stories with moral lessons often show.
The Lion and the Statue
In "The Lion and the Statue," a Man and a Lion engage in a humorous debate over their strengths, with the Man claiming superiority due to human intelligence. To support his argument, he points to a statue of Hercules defeating a Lion; however, the Lion cleverly counters that the statue is biased, created by a man to reflect his perspective. This inspirational short story with moral highlights how representations can be manipulated, reminding us that truth can be subjective in small moral stories.
The Ass and His Shadow
In the simple short story "The Ass and His Shadow," a traveler hires an ass for transportation and seeks refuge from the intense heat under its shadow. A dispute ensues between the traveler and the ass's owner over who has the right to the shadow, escalating to a physical fight, during which the ass gallops away. This famous fable with moral illustrates that in quarreling over trivial matters, we often lose what is truly important, making it one of the best moral stories suitable for short bedtime stories with moral lessons.
Other names for this story
The Dying King, Last Roar of the Lion, The Fallen Monarch, Wounded Pride, Age of the Lion, A Lion's Lament, The Lion's Last Stand, When Kings Fall
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme of vulnerability and the loss of respect that comes with decline; even the once-mighty lion, a symbol of strength and nobility, becomes a target for those who would never have dared to challenge him in his prime, highlighting how power dynamics shift in the face of mortality.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.
Explore More Stories
Story Details
- Age Group
- adultkidschildrenstory for class 2story for class 3story for class 4story for class 5story for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- the inevitability of declinethe cruelty of the strong towards the weakthe loss of dignity
- Characters
- LionBoarBullAss
- Setting
- forestgroundwilderness