The Lion had been badly hurt by the horns of a Goat, which he was
eating. He was very angry to think that any animal that he chose
for a meal, should be so brazen as to wear such dangerous things
as horns to scratch him while he ate. So he commanded that all
animals with horns should leave his domains within twenty-four
hours.
The command struck terror among the beasts. All those who were so
unfortunate as to have horns, began to pack up and move out. Even
the Hare, who, as you know, has no horns and so had nothing to
fear, passed a very restless night, dreaming awful dreams about
the fearful Lion.
And when he came out of the warren in the early morning sunshine,
and there saw the shadow cast by his long and pointed ears, a
terrible fright seized him.
"Goodby, neighbor Cricket," he called. "I'm off. He will
certainly make out that my ears are horns, no matter what I say."
_Do not give your enemies the slightest reason to attack your
reputation._
_Your enemies will seize any excuse to attack you._