A Lion gave a feast with Fox serving. With more guests arriving the Fox feared he would not get anything to eat.
Babrius Translation (The Gentle Lion)
A lion once the noblest life of men
Would emulate, and in his spacious den
“At home,” with kindness to entreat essay’d
All the best kinds of beasts of hill or glade.
Large grew the crowd of various brutes apace,
For which his kindly “menage” found a space :
While each he loved and feasted as a guest,
Meting to all the food they fancied best,
He ’d ta’en a friendly fox his den to share,
With whom his life was mostly smooth and fair;
But carver to him was an ancient ape,
Each messmate’s share to parcel out and shape.
This ape, if guest unwonted cross’d the door,
Set the same meal his lord and him before,
The lion’s chase some recent spoil had ta’en,
While Reynard did but scraps of stale meat gain.
So when a purposed silence she maintain’d,
And now from food and feast her paws restrain’d,
Her conduct’s motive fain the host would seek:
“Sage fox, in wonted fashion, prythee, speak;
“Share, dearest, share the feast with cheerful face.”
“Best,” cried the fox, “of all the wild-beast race,
“With much solicitude I waste my heart;
“Nor do things present merely cause the smart;
“But what is coming, I with grief foresee:
“For if fresh guests come hither constantly,
“One after other, and this habit grows,
“I shall miss even stale meat, I suppose.”
A lion’s smile o’er the pleased lion came:
“I told the ape so. Me then do not blame.”
How do you think an AI might simplify this fable? Here is one answer, and the illustration above was made from this simplification:
The Lion, the Fox, and the Ape
A lion wanted to live like noble men. So, in his large den, he welcomed animals of all kinds, treating them as honored guests. He fed each one their favorite food and made them feel at home. Among his companions were a clever fox and an old ape. The ape acted as the carver, serving food to everyone. But whenever a new guest arrived, the ape gave them the best meat, the same as the lion’s, while the fox only got old scraps. One day, the fox stopped eating. The lion noticed and asked kindly, “Why don’t you join the feast, dear fox?” The fox replied, “Mighty lion, I worry not just for today, but for what’s ahead. If more guests keep coming and are fed like kings, I fear soon I won’t get even the scraps.” The lion smiled and said, “I told the ape this would happen. So don’t blame me.”
Moral
When generosity lacks wisdom, the loyal may be left with nothing.
Perry. #337