It is told that in ancient times, in days of old, in one of Africa’s thickets, a lion lived the happy life of lions. He was distinguished by his exceptional speed and skill in hunting, and all animals feared him and took him into serious account.
The change in the lion’s condition and the new title: But nothing lasts forever. He grew old, his speed decreased, and his hunting became rare. Soon the forest animals discovered his weakness, so they began calling him the Failed Lion.
The deterioration of the lion’s health: Hunger afflicted the old lion, and he was forced to stay in his den without movement. One day, a gazelle approached the den and heard the moaning of the ancient, aging lion. He called out to him: What is wrong with you, oh lion? Why are you moaning like this?
The old lion devouring the good gazelle: The old lion answered in a very exhausted voice, saying: I am very sick, and I think death is stalking me! Please, my friend, approach and give me a drink of water. The gazelle sympathized with the old lion and approached him to give him the drink of water. But the lion gathered what strength remained to him and threw himself upon the poor gazelle and devoured him.
The lion learning a new trick for devouring: Thus the lion learned a new trick that saved him from the perishing of hunger, so he began repeating it with every animal that approached his den.
The old lion and the smart fox: One day, a fox approached the den and heard the lion moaning. He called out to him: Why are you moaning, oh lion? The lion answered him as usual in a very exhausted voice, saying: I am dying, my friend! Please approach me and give me one last drink of water.
The intelligence and cleverness of the fox: As the fox was about to approach, he looked at the ground and saw the footprints of many animals heading toward the lion. He understood thanks to his cleverness the lion’s plan. He said to him: Oh cunning lion… You want to devour me as you devoured the rest of the animals that approached your den?
The lion’s confusion after his trick was exposed: The lion answered confusedly without thinking, saying: How did you know that? The smart fox answered him: I knew from the footprints on the ground. I will expose your matter in the entire forest so no other animal falls into your trap.
Deception has short breath: Thus ended the matter of the old lion when he attempted to deceive someone more intelligent than him. Deception has short breath and must be exposed one day.