The Lion’s Share

The Lion went once a-hunting along with the Fox, the
Jackal, and the Wolf. They hunted and they hunted till at
last they surprised a Stag, and soon took its life. Then
came the question how the spoil should be divided.
‘Quarter me this Stag,’ roared the Lion; so the other
animals skinned it and cut it into four parts. Then the Lion
took his stand in front of the carcass and pronounced
judgment: The first quarter is for me in my capacity as
King of Beasts; the second is mine as arbiter; another share
comes to me for my part in the chase; and as for the fourth
quarter, well, as for that, I should like to see which of you
will dare to lay a paw upon it.’
‘Humph,’ grumbled the Fox as he walked away with
his tail between his legs; but he spoke in a low growl
.’You may share the labours of the great, but you will not
share the spoil.’