The Lion’s Guest

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In the heart of a golden jungle, King Madotkat the lion walked with his retinue — the jackal, the crow, the leopard. One morning, they came across a stranger: a weary camel, lost and alone. The crow urged, “Let us feast upon him.” But the lion, noble and firm, declared, “He is our guest. A guest is sacred.”

So the camel remained, content beneath the canopy of trees.

But fate soon turned. The lion was gravely wounded in battle with a wild elephant. Hunger gnawed at his followers. The jackal, sly and restless, whispered, “What if the guest offers himself? Then no sin falls upon us.” The famished  lion agreed.

Thus began a cruel theatre. The crow stepped forward: “Take me, O King.” The jackal interjected: “Too little flesh. Take me instead.” Each animal offered itself, their words a rehearsed deceit. The camel, touched by this false devotion, rose and spoke with innocence: “O King of the jungle, I offer myself to you. May this sacrifice be worthy.”

In an instant, the lion leapt, and the camel was slain. The jungle feasted.

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Moral: Beware the company of the cunning — even honeyed words may hide poison.

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