A Lion and Fox hunted together. An Ass was killed for supper. Fox was to guard but got hungry and ate the brain. Lion angry. Fox explained no brain if here.
Wit has always an answer ready.
Eliot/Jacobs Version
The Lion and the Fox went hunting together. The Lion, on the advice of the Fox, sent a message to the Ass proposing to make an alliance between their two families. The Ass came to the meeting place, overjoyed at the prospect of a royal alliance. But, when he came there the Lion simply pounced on the Ass and said to the Fox: “Here is out dinner for today. Keep watch here while I take a nap. Woe to you if you touch my prey.” The Lion went away and the Fox waited. After a time when the Lion did not return the Fox ventured to take out the brains of the Ass and ate them. When the Lion came back he noticed the absence of the brain and asked the Fox in a terrible voice: “What have you done with the brains?” “Brains, your Majesty! It had none, or it would never have fallen into your trap.”
Moral
Wit has always an answer ready.
