The Lion and the Dolphin

: Aesop's Fables

A LION roaming by the seashore saw a Dolphin lift up its head out

of the waves, and suggested that they contract an alliance,

saying that of all the animals they ought to be the best friends,

since the one was the king of beasts on the earth, and the other

was the sovereign ruler of all the inhabitants of the ocean. The

Dolphin gladly consented to this request. Not long afterwards

the Lion had a combat with a wild bull, and called on the Dolphin

to help him. The Dolphin, though quite willing to give him

assistance, was unable to do so, as he could not by any means

reach the land. The Lion abused him as a traitor. The Dolphin

replied, "Nay, my friend, blame not me, but Nature, which, while

giving me the sovereignty of the sea, has quite denied me the

power of living upon the land."



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