It happened one day that the lord of the beasts, the lion, became dangerously ill. Every day he became worse and worse, and finally he became so weak that he could hardly crawl out of his cave.
The one who grieved the most about the health of the lion was the fox. Of course! When the lion was healthy, the fox constantly hovered around his table and always got tidbits. And now the fox had to get his own food. It was not at all easy, because while the fox was eating handouts from the lion's table, he completely forgot how to hunt.
“We have to think of something,” the fox decided, “otherwise I’ll die of hunger.”
And coming to the lion's cave, he bowed and said:
- O refuge of the world! You don't care about your sacred person at all. Order your subjects to bring you rabbits, hens of the woods and partridges for dinner. Then you will get better immediately.
Leo sighed heavily and said:
– Yesterday I saw a famous Chinese doctor. He said that my illness would go away only after I ate the donkey’s brain!
- So why are you delaying? - the fox exclaimed. You will eat the brain, I will eat the rest - and everyone will be full!
“That’s the trouble,” said the lion, “that there are no donkeys in our jungle, and no one knows how to lure them here.”
“Well, I’ll help this trouble,” said the fox. Sit at the entrance to the cave and wait for me with the donkey.
Having said this, he ran to a nearby village. Seeing a donkey here, he asked:
- Listen, uncle donkey, why do you look so sad?
- Why should I be happy? – the donkey answered sadly. “I work from dawn to dusk, live from hand to mouth, and instead of gratitude I receive only beatings from my owners.
- So why do you live with such a master? – the fox exclaimed sympathetically. “You need to get away from him now.”
“I have nowhere to go,” said the donkey sadly. “All the owners are the same, they all beat me and feed me poorly.” Apparently, such is the fate of donkeys.
Hearing the donkey's complaint, the fox said:
“Don’t you know that not far from here, in the jungle, there is a beautiful meadow?” Oh, what a meadow this is! It is covered with sweet and juicy grass all year round. Happy birds are always singing and frolicking there. At noon, when the rays of the sun are especially hot, the inhabitants of the meadow hide in a large, cool cave. Let's hurry there, and you will be happy until the end of your days.
Hearing these words, the donkey shouted joyfully:
- Thank you, fox! Let's hurry to this meadow! And the donkey and the fox ran into the jungle. When they reached the forest, the fox said:
- First of all, I want to show you, uncle donkey, a cave where you can hide from the heat. Follow me.
And he led the donkey to the dwelling of the lord of the jungle.
As soon as the donkey saw a huge lion near the cave, he rushed away from him as fast as he could.
The lion rushed in pursuit, but due to weakness he could not make even two jumps.
When the donkey disappeared, the lion asked angrily:
– What are we going to do now? Does that mean I'll never get better?
– Don’t be upset, our lord! - said the fox. - I'll try to deceive this donkey again. I just beg you, sit at the entrance to the cave and do not move until the donkey comes very close to you.
And the fox ran back to the village. When he saw the donkey, he pretended to be surprised.
- What happened to you, uncle donkey? Why did you suddenly run away?
“Didn’t you see that there was a lion sitting near the cave?” I have no desire to meet this beast!
- Oh, how absent-minded I am! – the fox began to lie. “I completely forgot to warn you that there is a stuffed lion at the entrance to the cave.”
- Scarecrow? – the donkey was surprised. - Why did they put a scarecrow there?
- So that it would be better for you, donkeys, so that no one would offend you! After all, no animal will dare to enter the cave, since it is guarded by a lion. And therefore all donkeys can feel completely safe there.
- This is really good! - The donkey was happy. - Let's run back quickly!
And the donkey ran after the fox again.
At the entrance to the cave, he saw a motionless lion and boldly approached it. But as soon as the donkey caught up with the beast, the lion waved his paw and killed him.
“Well,” said the satisfied lion, “the main thing is done.” We have a donkey. Now I’ll go down to the source, take a bath, and then eat the donkey’s brain and be healthy!
And the lion wandered to the river.
Left alone, the hungry fox began to walk around the dead donkey.
- Now I can eat my fill! – he was happy. – Interesting to know which part of a donkey is the most delicious? I think it's the hip. Or maybe breasts? No, perhaps the most delicious thing a donkey has is its liver! However, what am I saying? It is clear that the most delicious thing a donkey has is its brain. That's why the doctor ordered the lion to eat the donkey's brain. And I, poor thing, didn’t even know what it tasted like. What a misfortune! Should I try a tiny piece to get an idea of its taste?
Having said this, the fox approached the dead donkey and did not notice how he ate the whole brain.
At this time the lion returned to the cave. Having praised the gods, he turned to the donkey and saw that it had no brain.
-What is this! - the lion roared. “You dare to eat this donkey’s healing brain?” Yes, I will rip your vile skin off you for this!
“Our good lord,” the fox barked, “he didn’t even approach this donkey.” We just came across a brainless ass. Yes, this is not surprising. If this ass had a brain, would he have believed my stupid stories?
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru