The Lion in Love

Summary

This short fable tells the story of a Lion who wishes to marry the daughter of a woodcutter. The woodcutter, unwilling to directly refuse the fearsome creature, cleverly devises a plan to deter him. He agrees to the marriage on the condition that the Lion allows him to remove his teeth and claws, as his daughter is terrified of them. The Lion consents, but once defanged and declawed, becomes harmless and vulnerable. The woodcutter then drives the Lion away with a club. This tale illustrates the theme of using wit and strategy to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and serves as a cautionary reminder of how vulnerability can lead to loss of power.

Read Online

A Lion demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The Father, unwilling to grant, and yet afraid to refuse his request, hit upon this expedient to rid himself of his importunities. He expressed his willingness to accept the Lion as the suitor of his daughter on one condition: that he should allow him to extract his teeth, and cut off his claws, as his daughter was fearfully afraid of both. The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal. But when the toothless, clawless Lion returned to repeat his request, the Woodman, no longer afraid, set upon him with his club, and drove him away into the forest.