An Ass and a Fox partnered but when a Lion came the Fox said he would lead the Ass to a pit for the Lion. Lion agreed. Fox did it. Lion killed Fox first.
We love treason, but hate the traitor.
Eliot/Jacobs Version
A Fox and and Ass agreed to a mutual protection pact and then went into the forest. Not far into the forest they happened upon a Lion. The Fox, seeing great danger, when to the Lion and promised to deliver the Ass to him if he would but spare the Fox. The Lion agreed and the Fox convinced the Ass that he would be safe in a pit. Once the Fox had led the Ass into the pit and he could not escape, the Lion first attacked the Fox and then at leisure consumed the Ass.
Aesop For Children
An Ass and a Fox had become close comrades, and were constantly in each other’s company. While the Ass cropped a fresh bit of greens, the Fox would devour a chicken from the neighboring farmyard or a bit of cheese filched from the dairy. One day the pair unexpectedly met a Lion. The Ass was very much frightened, but the Fox calmed his fears.
“I will talk to him,” he said.
So the Fox walked boldly up to the Lion.
“Your highness,” he said in an undertone, so the Ass could not hear him, “I’ve got a fine scheme in my head. If you promise not to hurt me, I will lead that foolish creature yonder into a pit where he can’t get out, and you can feast at your pleasure.”
The Lion agreed and the Fox returned to the Ass.
“I made him promise not to hurt us,” said the Fox. “But come, I know a good place to hide till he is gone.”
So the Fox led the Ass into a deep pit. But when the Lion saw that the Ass was his for the taking, he first of all struck down the traitor Fox.
Moral
Traitors may expect treachery.
JBR Collection
An Ass and a Fox were rambling through a forest one day, when they were met by a Lion. The Fox was seized with great fear, and taking the first opportunity of getting the ear of the Lion, thought to obtain his own safety at the expense of that of his companion. “Sire,” said he, “yon same Ass is young and plump, and if your majesty would care to make a dinner off him, I know how he might be caught without much trouble. There is a pit-fall not far away, into which I can easily lead him.” The Lion agreed, and seeing the Ass securely taken, he began his dinner by devouring the traitorous Fox, reserving the Ass to be eaten at his leisure.
Townsend version
The Ass and the Fox, having entered into partnership together for their mutual protection, went out into the forest to hunt. They had not proceeded far when they met a Lion. The Fox, seeing imminent danger, approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass if the Lion would pledge his word not to harm the Fox. Then, upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured, the Fox led him to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it. The Lion, seeing that the Ass was secured, immediately clutched the Fox, and attacked the Ass at his leisure.
L’Estrange version
As an ass and a fox were together upon the ramble, a lyon meets them by the way. The foxes heart went pit-a-pat; but however, to make the best of a bad game, he sets a good face on’t, and up he goes to the lyon. Sir, says he; I am come to offer your majesty a piece of service, and I’ll cast myself upon your honour for my own security. If you have a mind to my companion, the ass here, ’tis but a word speaking, and you shall have him immediately. Let it be done then says the lyon. So the fox trepann’d the ass into the toyl, and the lyon, when he found he had him sure, began with the fox himself, and after that, for his second course, made up his meal with the other.
Moral
We love the treason, but we hate the traytor.
Leo, Asinus, et Vulpes Perfida
Iniit amicitiam cum asino vulpes, atque ita communiter exiere venatum. Cum autem leonem conspexisset vulpecula, verita ut evadere cursu posset, calliditate periculum vitare tentat et, ad leonem accedens, paciscitur vitam suam pro asini proditione. Leo tum quidem vulpi vitam promittit. Illa vero in laqueum inducit asinum, in quo captus cum haereret neque aufugere posset, capit prius vulpem leo atque ita ad devorandum otiose asinum accedit.
Moral
Fabula indicat quod sociorum suorum proditores sibi etiam ipsi plerumque exitium accersant.
Perry #191
