Once, the Cow, the Goat and the Sheep entered into partnership with the Lion. It was decided that the four animals would hunt together, and the spoils of their hunt would be divided equally between them. Soon they chased and killed a large Stag, and divided the meat into four equal portions. When it was time for each to claim their share, the Lion said:

‘I am the king, so the first portion of the meat is mine. I am brave, so that makes the second piece of meat mine. As for the third portion, well, I am the strongest, so the third piece is also mine. And if any of you dare touch the fourth piece of meat, I will kill you and eat you as well!’ And he was so menacing and so frightening that the Cow, the Goat and the Sheep ran away in fright, grateful to have escaped with their lives.

An alliance with the powerful should never be relied upon.