Aesop's Fables

#21 The Ass, the Cock, and the Lion

An Ass and a Cock were in a straw-yard together when a Lion, desperate from hunger, approached the spot.

He was about to spring upon the Ass, when the Cock (to the sound of whose voice the Lion, it is said, has a singular aversion) crowed loudly, and the Lion fled away as fast as he could.

The Ass, observing the Lion's trepidation at the mere crowing of the Cock, summoned courage to attack the Lion, and galloped after him for that purpose. He had run no long distance when the Lion, turning around, seized him and tore him to pieces.

MORAL: False confidence often leads into danger.