The Man and the Lion
Traditional Fable by: Aesop
Source: Aesop's Fables
On a long journey through the sun-dappled countryside, a man and a lion found themselves traveling together. As they walked, they began to talk, and soon their conversation turned into a friendly but spirited debate about which of their kinds was truly the greatest.
The man, proud of human achievements, boasted, “Men are the bravest and most powerful creatures on earth. We have built cities, tamed wild beasts, and ruled over the land.”
The lion, with a deep rumbling voice, replied, “You may be clever, but lions are the strongest and most noble of all animals. In the wild, no creature dares to challenge us.”
Their debate grew more animated as they each recounted stories of bravery and strength. The man spoke of legendary heroes who had slain monsters and conquered kingdoms. The lion told tales of mighty lions who had defended their pride and territory against all odds.
As they continued, they came upon a crossroads where a large stone statue stood. The statue showed a man standing tall, his foot on the neck of a defeated lion. The man smiled and pointed to the sculpture. “Look there! That proves my point. Even art and history record the victories of men over lions.”
The lion gazed at the statue for a moment, then turned to the man with a knowing look. “That statue was made by a man. If lions could sculpt, you would see many statues showing lions victorious over men.”
The man paused, realizing that every story, every piece of art, and every history is shaped by the one who tells it. The truth, he understood, often depends on the perspective of the storyteller.
They continued their journey, each a little wiser, and with a new respect for the other’s point of view.
Moral: Stories are told from the teller’s perspective. Always consider the source of what you hear, and remember that every story has more than one side.
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