Aesop's Fables

the sick lion

a lion had come to_the end of_his days and lay sick unto death at_the mouth of_his cave, gasping for breath . the animals, his subjects, came round him and drew nearer as he grew more and more helpless . when_they saw him on_the point of death they thought to themselves: ` now is_the time to_pay off old grudges .' so the Boar came up and drove at him with_his tusks; then a bull gored him with_his horns; still the lion lay helpless before them: so the Ass, feeling quite safe from danger, came up, and turning his tail to_the lion kicked up his heels into his face .` this_is a double death,' growled the lion .

only cowards insult dying majesty .