FABLE XX
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
A hunter came to the big forest. He had a bow and many arrows. He looked for animals to hunt. The animals saw the hunter. They were very scared. They ran away fast. They ran to their homes. Many animals hid in the trees. They hid in bushes too. They did not want to be seen.
But The Lion did not run away. He was big and strong. His mane was thick. He was the king of the forest. The Lion stood very still. He looked at the hunter. He wanted to fight the hunter. He thought he was very brave. He was not scared.
The Hunter saw The Lion standing there. The Hunter smiled. "Stop," said The Hunter. "Wait for my thing." "My thing will come to you." The Hunter spoke in a clear voice. He held his strong bow. He pulled the string back. He was ready.
The Hunter shot an arrow from his bow. The arrow flew very fast. It whistled in the air. It hit The Lion's side. The Lion felt a sharp, bad pain. He cried out loud. He was hurt very much. The arrow made him feel weak. It was not a small hurt at all.
The Lion cried out in pain. He turned around quickly. He ran deep into the forest. He ran very, very fast. He ran past trees. He ran past bushes. The pain was bad in his side. He just wanted to hide now. He wanted to be safe.
A Fox saw The Lion running away. The Fox was surprised. "Why do you run, Lion?" asked The Fox. "You are very brave." "You are the strongest animal." "Go back and fight the hunter." The Fox spoke to The Lion. He did not understand. He thought Lion was fearless.
"No," said The Lion. "I will not go back. The arrow hurt me very much. It was very sharp and fast. It came from far away. The man sent the arrow to me. He must be much stronger than me. He is too powerful to fight. I cannot win. I must be smart."
The Lion was smart. He knew to be safe. Someone was too strong. He learned a big lesson.
Original Story
FABLE XX.
THE LION WOUNDED.
A Man, who was very skilful with his bow, went up into the forest to hunt. At his approach, there was a great consternation and rout among the wild beasts, the Lion alone showing any determination to fight. "Stop," said the Archer to him, "and await my messenger, who has somewhat to say to you." With that, he sent an arrow after the Lion, and wounded him in the side. The Lion, smarting with anguish, fled into the depths of the forest; but a Fox, seeing him run, bade him take courage, and face his enemy. "No," said the Lion, "you will not persuade me to that; for if the messenger he sends is so sharp, what must be the power of him who sends it?"
MORAL.
It is better to yield to a superior force than foolishly brave its power.
THE LION WOUNDED.
Story DNA
Moral
It is better to yield to a superior force than foolishly brave its power.
Plot Summary
A skilled archer enters the forest, causing all animals to flee except for a proud Lion who decides to fight. The archer sends an arrow, wounding the Lion, who then flees in pain. A Fox encourages the Lion to return and fight, but the Lion, having experienced the 'messenger's' power, wisely concludes that the sender must be even more formidable, choosing self-preservation over foolish bravery.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often served as moral instruction, popular across many ancient cultures.
Plot Beats (7)
- A skilled archer enters the forest to hunt, causing panic among the wild animals.
- Only the Lion stands firm, determined to fight the archer.
- The archer tells the Lion to wait for his 'messenger'.
- The archer shoots an arrow, wounding the Lion in the side.
- The Lion, in pain, flees deep into the forest.
- A Fox sees the Lion running and encourages him to be brave and face his enemy.
- The Lion refuses, stating that if the messenger (arrow) was so sharp, the sender (archer) must be even more formidable.
Characters
The Archer ★ protagonist
A man of average height with a lean, muscular build, indicative of someone who spends much time outdoors and is skilled in hunting. His movements are precise and confident.
Attire: Practical hunting attire, likely made of sturdy, muted-colored linen or wool to blend into the forest. Perhaps a simple tunic, trousers, and leather boots, with a quiver slung over his shoulder.
Wants: To hunt and demonstrate his skill, to assert dominance over the wild.
Flaw: Overconfidence in his abilities, potentially underestimating the resilience of his prey.
Remains unchanged, successfully asserting his dominance.
Skilful, confident, strategic, somewhat arrogant in his power.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lean adult man with a confident expression, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has sharp, focused dark eyes, a weathered face, and short, practical dark hair. He wears a muted green linen tunic, sturdy brown leather trousers, and high leather boots. A brown leather quiver is slung over his back, and he holds a long wooden bow in his left hand, an arrow nocked in his right. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Lion ⚔ antagonist
A large, powerful adult lion, with a muscular build and a majestic presence. His coat is a rich golden-brown, and he moves with a natural grace and strength.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To defend himself and his territory, to survive.
Flaw: Vulnerability to a superior, unseen force; pride that leads him to confront a dangerous foe.
Starts as defiant and brave, but learns humility and fear in the face of a superior, unseen power.
Brave, determined, proud, but ultimately pragmatic and fearful of superior force.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, powerful adult male lion standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a rich golden-brown coat, a thick, dark, majestic mane, and piercing golden eyes. An arrow is visibly embedded in his left side, causing him to wince slightly. His posture is initially proud but now shows signs of pain and retreat. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fox ○ minor
A sleek, agile fox with a slender build and a bushy tail. His movements are quick and cunning.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To offer advice, perhaps to gain favor or simply out of curiosity.
Flaw: Underestimates the power of the Archer initially.
Learns from the Lion's experience about the nature of superior force.
Observant, opportunistic, perhaps a bit naive in his initial advice, but quick to understand the Lion's reasoning.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sleek adult fox standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has vibrant reddish-orange fur, a pointed muzzle, intelligent dark eyes, and alert, triangular ears. His chest and belly are white, and he has a bushy tail with a white tip. His posture is alert and slightly curious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Forest Edge
The initial approach of the hunter, where the forest meets a more open area, causing immediate alarm among the animals.
Mood: tense, sudden alarm
The hunter first enters, causing panic among the beasts and the Lion's initial stand.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-dappled clearing at the edge of a temperate forest, where tall oak and beech trees form a dense, verdant wall. The ground is covered in a mix of short, dry grasses and scattered fallen leaves, with patches of sunlight breaking through the canopy. In the distance, the forest deepens into shadow, hinting at its vastness. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Depths of the Forest
A secluded, dense part of the forest where the wounded Lion seeks refuge, characterized by thick foliage and a sense of concealment.
Mood: painful, secluded, reflective
The Lion flees here after being wounded, and the Fox attempts to persuade him to return.
Image Prompt & Upload
A deep, ancient temperate forest interior, where massive, gnarled oak and elm trees form a dense, interlocking canopy, casting the forest floor into perpetual twilight. Thick layers of emerald moss and decaying leaves blanket the uneven ground, interspersed with ferns and tangled roots. Shafts of muted light occasionally pierce the canopy, illuminating dust motes in the still, humid air. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
