The Wild Ass and the Lion
Story Summary
In "The Wild Ass and the Lion," a Wild Ass and a Lion join forces to hunt in the forest, blending the Lion's strength with the Wild Ass's speed. However, after their successful hunt, the Lion claims the lion's share, asserting his dominance and threatening the Wild Ass, illustrating the life-changing moral that in the animal kingdom, "might makes right." This short and sweet moral story serves as a powerful reminder of how power dynamics shape fairness, making it one of the top 10 moral stories for children.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates that those in power often exploit their strength to dominate and take more than their fair share, regardless of fairness or partnership.
Historical Context
This story is a fable that reflects themes of power dynamics and injustice, often attributed to Aesop, a storyteller from ancient Greece known for his moral tales featuring animals with human traits. Variants of this tale have appeared in different cultures, underscoring the universal lesson that those in power may exploit their strength to dominate others, exemplifying the adage "might makes right." The narrative serves as a critique of alliances formed on unequal terms, highlighting the consequences of submission to tyranny.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates how power dynamics can skew fairness and lead to exploitation, a theme that resonates in modern life, particularly in workplace hierarchies or political alliances. For example, in a corporate setting, a powerful executive might take credit for a team's work and allocate bonuses disproportionately, justifying their actions with their status, leaving others feeling marginalized and exploited.
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Other names for this story
The Lion's Share, Alliance of the Wild, Strength in Unity, The Clever Ass and the King, Speed and Power, The Beastly Bargain, Might Over Right, The Predator's Pact
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme of power dynamics and exploitation in alliances, highlighting how those with strength can manipulate agreements to their advantage, ultimately reinforcing the idea that might often dictates morality.
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