At a great celebration in honor of King Lion, the Monkey was asked to dance for the company. Soon a swarm of blood-sucking flies settled on him; but he lay quietly, still too weak to run away from them. How can it be, he sighed, that I should be cursed with such legs when I have so magnificent a crown. The Snake soon revived, and when it had enough strength, bit the man who had been so kind to it. In great fear the Mice scurried to a hiding place, where they lay quite still for a long time, hardly daring to breathe. But the Dog would not let them get near the manger, and snarled and snapped as if it were filled with the best of meat and bones, all for himself. But one night he found a sheep skin that had been cast aside and forgotten. Please fetch me a drink of water, he begged, that might give me strength enough so I can get me some solid food. But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he lost his hold on the stick, and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.
Your enemies will seize any excuse to attack you.