[Illustration: THE LION, THE BEAR, AND THE FOX.]
A Lion and a Bear fell together by the ears over the carcass of a Fawn
which they found in the forest, their title to him being to be decided
by force of arms. The battle was severe and tough on both sides, and
they held it out, tearing and worrying one another so long, that, what
with wounds and fatigue, they were so faint and weary, that they were
not able to strike another stroke. Thus, while they lay upon the ground,
panting and lolling out their tongues, a Fox chanced to pass by that
way, who, perceiving how the case stood, very impudently stepped in
between them, seized the booty which they had all this while been
contending for, and carried it off. The two combatants, who lay and
beheld all this, without having strength enough to stir and prevent it,
were only wise enough to make this reflection: 'Behold the fruits of our
strife and contention! that villain, the Fox, bears away the prize, and
we ourselves have deprived each other of the power to recover it from
him.'