Once upon a time, a severe plague raged among the animals. Many died, and those who lived were so ill that they cared for neither food nor drink and dragged themselves about with great effort. No longer could a fat young hen tempt Master Fox to dinner, nor could a tender lamb excite greedy Sir Wolf's appetite.
At last, the Lion decided to call a council. When all the animals had gathered together, he arose and said: "Dear friends, I believe the gods have sent this plague upon us as a punishment for our sins. Therefore, the most guilty one of us must be offered in sacrifice to the Gods. Perhaps we may thus obtain forgiveness and cure for all."
"I will confess all my sins first. I admit that I have been very greedy and have devoured many sheep, goats, bulls and stags who had done me no harm. To tell everyone the truth, I even ate up a shepherd now and then."
"Now, if I am the most guilty, I am ready to be sacrificed. But I think it best that each one of us confesses the sins that they have done, as I have. Then we can decide in all justice who is the most guilty."
"Your majesty," said the Fox, "you are too good. Can it be a crime to eat sheep, such stupid mutton heads? No, no, your majesty. You have done them great honour by eating them up." "And so far as shepherds are concerned, we all know they belong to that puny race that pretends to be our masters."
All the animals applauded the Fox loudly. So then, though the Tiger, the Bear, the Wolf, and all the savage beasts recited the most wicked deeds, all were excused and made to appear very saint-like and innocent.
It was now the Ass's turn to confess.
"I remember," he said guiltily, "that one day, as I was passing a field belonging to some priests, I was so tempted by the tender grass and my hunger that I could not resist nibbling a bit of it. I had no right to do it, I admit."
A great uproar among the beasts interrupted him. So here was the culprit who had brought the misfortune on all of them! What a horrible crime it was to eat grass that belonged to someone else! It was enough to hang anyone for, much more an Ass.
Immediately they all fell upon the Ass. The Wolf initiated, and soon everyone joined in scarfing the Ass to the Gods, without any ceremony or formality.
Moral: The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful.
Stories Retold:- Original Source:- The Aesop Fables
