A Lion, enfeebled by age and no longer able to procure food for himself by force, determined to do so by cunning.

Betaking himself to a cave, he lay down inside and feigned to be sick: and whenever any of the other animals entered to inquire after his health, he sprang upon them and devoured them.

Many lost their lives in this way, till one day a Fox called at the cave, and, having a suspicion of the truth, addressed the Lion from outside instead of going in, and asked him how he did.

He replied that he was in a very bad way: “But,” said he, “why do you stand outside? Pray come in.”

“I should have done so,” answered the Fox, “if I hadn’t noticed that all the footprints point towards the cave and none the other way.”