The Bull and The Goat

A Bull chased by a Lion tried to hide in a cave but was rebuffed by a Goat already there. The Bull told the Goat that he was lucky there was a Lion!

It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress.

Townsend version

A bull, escaping from a Lion, hid in a cave which some shepherds had recently occupied. As soon as he entered, a He-Goat left in the cave sharply attacked him with his horns. The Bull quietly addressed him: “Butt away as much as you will. I have no fear of you, but of the Lion. Let that monster go away and I will soon let you know what is the respective strength of a Goat and a Bull.”

Moral

It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress.

Aesop For Children

A Bull once escaped from a Lion by entering a cave which the Goatherds used to house their flocks in stormy weather and at night. It happened that one of the Goats had been left behind, and the Bull had no sooner got inside than this Goat lowered his head and made a rush at him, butting him with his horns. As the Lion was still prowling outside the entrance to the cave, the Bull had to submit to the insult.

“Do not think,” he said, “that I submit to your cowardly treatment because I am afraid of you. When that Lion leaves, I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget.”

Moral

It is wicked to take advantage of another’s distress.

JBR Collection

A Bull being pursued by a Lion, spied a cave, and flew towards it, meaning to take shelter there. A Goat came to the mouth of the cave, and menacing the Bull with his horns, disputed the passage. The Bull, having no time to lose, was obliged to make off again without delay, but not before saying to the Goat, “Were it not for the Lion that is behind me, I would soon let you know the difference between a Bull and a Goat.”

Samuel Croxall

THE Bull, being pursued by the Lion, made towards the cave, in which he designed to secure himself; but was opposed just at the entrance by a Goat, who had got possession before him, threatening a kind of defiance with his horns, seemed resolved to dispute the pass with him. The Bull, who thought he had no time to lose in a contest of this nature, immediately made off again; but told the Goat, that it was not for fear of him or his defiances: for, says he, if the Lion were not so near, I would soon make you know the difference between a Bull and a Goat.

THE APPLICATION

It is very inhumane to deny succour and comfort to people in tribulation; but to insult them, and to add to the weight of their misfortunes, is something superlatively brutish and cruel. There is, however, in the world a sort of wretches of this vile temper, that wait for an opportunity of aggravating their neighbour’s affliction, and defer the execution of their evil inclinations until they can do it to the best advantage. If any one labours under an expensive law-suit, lest he should escape from that, one of these gentlemen will take care to arrest him in a second action; hoping, at least, to keep him at bay, while the more powerful adversary attacks him on the other side. One cannot consider this, temper, without observing something remarkably cowardly in it: for those whiffling antagonists never begin their encounter, till they are sure the person they aim at is already overmatched.

Thomas Bewick (The Bull and The Goat)

A Bull being pursued by a Lion, fled towards a cave, in which he designed to secure himself; but was opposed at the entrance by a Goat, who had got possession before him, and, threatening a kind of defiance with his horns, seemed resolved to dispute the pass. The Bull, who thought he had no time to lose in a contest of this nature, immediately made off; but told the Goat, that it was not for fear of him or his defiances: for, says he, if the Lion were not so near, I would soon teach you the difference between a Bull and a Goat.

APPLICATION.

   O'cr-match'd, unaided, and his foes at hand,
   Safely the coward may the brave withstand;
   But think not, dastard, thus thy glories shine—
   He fears a greater force, but scoffs at thine.

It is very inhuman to deny succour and comfort to people in tribulation; but to insult them, and add to their misfortunes, is something superlatively brutish and cruel. There is, however, in the world, a sort of people of this vile temper, and littleness of mind, who wait for an opportunity of aggravating their neighbour’s affliction, and defer the execution of their evil inclinations until they can do it with the severest effect. If a person suffer under an expensive law-suit, lest he should escape from that, one of these gentlemen will take care to arrest him in a second action, hoping, at least, to keep him at bay, while the more powerful adversary attacks him on the other side. One cannot consider this temper, without observing something remarkably cowardly in it: for these shuffling antagonists never begin their encounter till they are very sure the person they aim at is already over-matched.