a lion, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so by artifice. he returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be publicly known. the beasts expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the lion devoured them. after many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the fox discovered the trick and presenting himself to the lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful distance, and asked him how he was. "i am very middling, " replied the lion, "but why do you stand without? pray enter within to talk with me." "no, thank you, " said the fox. "i notice that there are many prints of feet entering your cave, but i see no trace of any returning."

he is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.

一头狮子年老力衰，已经没有能力自己猎取食物了。【[ABO]跟渣攻先婚后爱了】不甘心这样死去的狮子想到了一条“妙计”。他返回自己的洞里，躺下来装病，并把自己生病的消息让更多的动物知道。善良的小动物们纷纷来探望狮子，表达自己的关切之情。可是接待他们的只有狮子的血盆大口。

许多动物就这样消失了，狐狸逐渐明白了狮子的阴谋。于是他站在洞外很远的地方询问狮子的病情。狮子回答他:“我的病情还好，不是非常严重，但是你为什么站在外面呢，请进来和我说会话吧！”狐狸立即明白了他的用意，回答道:“不，谢谢您的好意了，我是不会进去的，因为我注意到这里只有动物们进去的脚印，而没有返回的脚印！”

聪明的人善于从别人的不幸中接受教训。