The Lion's Share°

A lion, a fox, and an a*s went hunting.

Then they had to divide the booty.

The a*s was very pleased that the lion

Had conferred on him the duty.

 

The a*s divided the booty into

Three equal portions. He was quick!

Then he turned to the other two

And calmly said, "Take your pick."

 

Immediately, the lion pounced

Upon the a*s and tore him to pieces.

(I guess the a*s was rather naïve

And oblivious to lions' caprices.)

 

The fox, having observed the scene

And knowing the proper protocol,

Divided the booty into TWO portions--

One was large; the other was small.

 

"Ah!" said the lion. "That is perfect.

How did you ever get so smart?"

"I watched what happened to the a*s,"

Replied the fox, "and took it to heart."

 

From the fable we can learn

That we do NOT need to wear glasses

To see that we can learn from others'

Misfortunes, even if they are asses.

 

But there is still a little matter

About the fable that's hard to ignore:

Why would an a*s hunt with a lion?

Since when was a donkey a carnivore?

 

-by Bob B (9-15-21)

 

°An Aesop fable, "The Lion, The Fox, and the A*s," retold here in verse