At a great meeting of the Animals, who had gathered to elect a new ruler, the Monkey was asked to dance. Standing at a safe distance from the cave, he inquired politely after the Lion's health. Just then, close by, they heard a hunter's horn and the yelping of a pack of hounds. Running up, he caught the bird and clipped its wings. Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. A Jackdaw saw the deed, and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big and strong enough to do as the Eagle had done. The Ass was so pleased to see the animals running away from him, just as if he were King Lion himself, that he could not keep from expressing his delight by a loud, harsh bray. He called himself an Astrologer, and spent his time at night gazing at the sky. Of course, they were all hungry, and helped themselves freely to the Stag's food; and as you would expect, the Stag soon starved to death.
Traitors may expect treachery.