On the death of the old Lion, without his leaving an heir, the beasts
assembled to choose another king of the forest in his stead. The crown
was tried on many a head, but did not sit easy upon any one. At length
the Ape putting it upon his own, declared that it fitted him quite
well, and after shewing them many antic tricks, he with a great deal
of grimace, and an affected air of wisdom, offered himself to fill the
high office. The silly creatures being pleased with him at the moment,
instantly, by a great majority, proclaimed him king. The Fox, quite
vexed to see his fellow-subjects act so foolishly, resolved to convince
them of their sorry choice, and knowing of a trap ready baited, at no
great distance, he addressed himself to King Ape, and told him that he
had discovered a treasure, which being found on the waste, belonged to
his Majesty. The Ape presently went to take possession of the prize;
but no sooner had he laid his paws upon the bait, than he was caught
fast in the trap. In this situation, between shame and anger, he
chattered out many bitter reproaches against the Fox, calling him rebel
and traitor, and threatening revenge: to all which Reynard gravely
replied, that this was nothing but a beginning of what he would meet
with in the high station his vanity had prompted him to aspire to, as
it was only one of the many traps that would be laid for him, and in
which he would be caught; but he hoped, this one might be a treasure to
him, if it operated as a caution, and served to put him in mind of the
false estimate he had put upon his abilities, in supposing, that with
his inexperienced empty pate, he could manage the weighty affairs of
state. He then, with a laugh, left him to be relieved from his peril by
one or other of his foolish loving subjects.