Here it is - this fairy tale. Look, she's here again. Listen, it’s already beginning, a fairy tale about a smart little fox and how he killed a lion. The same lion who is stronger than all the animals in the world.
It was like this.
Animals lived in the forest, and there were a great many of them - both big and small, both stronger and weaker. But there was enough space for all of them in the forest, and each, as best he could, earned his living.
That was until a lion came into the forest. And immediately all the animals lost their lives because of him. The lion grabbed them - all of them indiscriminately, whoever caught them first - killed and ate them.
The animals thought for a long time what to do, and so, having agreed among themselves, they went to the lion.
The lion was lying on the edge, in the shade of trees, and resting after a hearty lunch.
All the animals stopped at a respectful distance, and the jackal stepped forward two steps and said:
- Mighty lion! We want to ask you to listen to us. The lion lazily shook his mane and said:
- Speak.
“Mighty lion,” the jackal began his speech. “Ever since you came to this forest, none of us have had peace.” If you keep us in such fear all the time, we will completely run away from the forest. Think for yourself how bad it will be for you then - you will get up hungry, you will go to bed hungry.
Leo grumbled dissatisfiedly.
- No, no, don't be angry! We want you to feel good, and we don’t feel too bad. Listen to what we came up with. Every day, as soon as the sun reaches the middle of the sky, we will cast lots, and whoever the lot falls on, we will bring to you for lunch. And let all the other animals run peacefully through the forest.
Leo thought for a minute and said:
- I agree. Go ahead.
Then he put his head on his paws and closed his eyes. All the animals understood that the conversation was over.
Since then, every day, as soon as the sun approached the middle of the sky, the animals gathered for a draw. And whoever the lot fell on was given to the lion to be devoured.
One day the lot fell on a little fox.
The animals were about to lead him to the lion, when suddenly the little fox said:
- Listen, animals! If you let me go alone, I will kill the lion and you will continue to live peacefully in the forest. The animals were very surprised. They all spoke at once:
- Will you kill the lion alone? Are you such a tiny little fox? Will you kill a lion so strong and big? How can you kill him?
“And that’s my business,” said the little fox. - Just leave me alone.
“Well, go alone,” said the animals. “And we will keep an eye on you from afar so that you don’t simply run away.”
The little fox was very happy that he was released alone and ran.
Not far from the edge of the forest where the lion lay, the little fox hid behind a tree and began to wait.
Leo was resting. He lay with his eyes closed, and when the sun rose in the middle of the sky, he raised his eyelids and opened his huge mouth. He was used to having lunch waiting for him at this hour.
But this time the lion saw nothing. His lunch was not in front of him.
Leo turned his head to the right, to the left - nothing anywhere.
- What's happened? - the lion grumbled. - Why are they messing around for so long today? Well, okay, I'll wait a little longer.
And he closed his eyes again.
And the sun sank lower and lower.
Finally the lion became seriously angry. He jumped to his feet and with a menacing growl headed into the forest.
And then, as if to meet him, a little fox ran out of his ambush.
- O strongest of the strong! - the little fox squeaked. -What happened to you? Why are you so angry?
- Why am I so angry? - the enraged lion roared. - Because I’ve been hungry all day and now I’ll eat you! And I don’t want to hear any more about your draw!
- Mighty lion! Wait, don't be angry! - the little fox spoke. “That’s why I came running to you, to tell you about what happened!”
- Well, speak up! - the lion roared. - Hurry up!
“You see,” said the little fox, “today my younger brother was supposed to come to you for dinner, and I, as the eldest, volunteered to show him the way.” We were walking through the forest, and suddenly another lion jumped out from behind the trees. He didn’t talk to us for long, grabbed my brother and took him away. And I rushed to you to ask you for help and protection.
The lion's eyes became bloodshot from rage.
“Am I not the strongest among the lions?” - the lion roared.
“Well, of course, you are the strongest,” said the little fox. - That lion cannot be compared to you. But he boasted that he could defeat you in no time... If you want, I will show you where he hid with his - that is, with your - prey.
Lev said:
- Take me to him. And they went deep into the forest. The little fox ran in front, the lion followed him. Near the forest well, the little fox stopped and quietly said to the lion:
- Look down. He's there.
The lion went to the very edge of the well and bent over the water.
From the darkness a huge lion bared its teeth at him.
- Well, now I’ll deal with you! - the lion roared and rushed into the well.
The lion, of course, drowned. And the little fox began to jump and tumble in joy.
- Go! Look! - he shouted. - I killed him! I killed the lion! Now everyone can live peacefully in the forest! Now we have no one to fear! I killed him! I defeated him!
Forest animals - both big and small - all ran to the well to look at the dead lion with their own eyes.
Everyone praised the little fox and said:
“It’s good to be strong, but it’s even better to be smart!”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru