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 listlessly.
No longer could a fat young hen tempt Master Fox to dinner, nor a
tender lamb rouse greedy Sir Wolf's appetite.
At last the Lion decided to call a council. When all the animals
were 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. 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. They had done me no
harm. I have eaten goats and bulls and stags. To tell 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 confess his sins as I have done. 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 honor 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. 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. Here was the
culprit who had brought 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 him, the Wolf in the lead, and
soon had made an end to him, sacrificing him to the gods then and
there, and without the formality of an altar.
_The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful._