The Lion and the Farmer

Once upon a time, a mighty Lion lived in the hills. He was proud, strong, and fierce. When he roared, the leaves on the trees trembled. One day, while wandering near a village, the Lion saw a Farmer’s daughter working in the fields. She was very beautiful and kind. The Lion watched her from afar and felt a strange feeling in his heart. He had fallen in love.

He decided he wanted to marry her. He walked boldly to the Farmer’s house and knocked on the door. Knock, knock! The Farmer opened the door and was terrified to see a huge Lion on his porch. “Good morning,” rumbled the Lion politely. “I have come to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

The Farmer didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want his daughter to marry a wild beast! But he was too scared to say “No” to a Lion. The Lion might get angry and eat him. The Farmer thought quickly. He was a clever man. “O King of the Jungle,” said the Farmer, bowing low. “This is a great honor. My daughter would be lucky to have such a strong husband.” The Lion puffed out his chest, looking pleased. “However,” added the Farmer, “my daughter is a gentle girl. She is very afraid of your sharp claws. She says she cannot marry you unless you trim them. They are too scary.”

The Lion was so in love that he didn’t think twice. “Is that all?” he asked. “I will do it immediately!” He ran back to the forest and trimmed his sharp claws until they were short and blunt. He came back the next day. “Look,” he said. “My claws are gone. Now can I marry her?”

The Farmer looked at the paws. “Hmm,” he said. “Good. But… there is one more thing. She is terrified of your big teeth. When you smile, it looks like you want to bite her. You must file them down.” The foolish Lion, blinded by his feelings, agreed again. He went to the river and rubbed his teeth against the stones until they were smooth and flat.

He returned to the Farmer’s house. “Now I am harmless,” mumbled the Lion. “I have no claws and no sharp teeth. Now give me your daughter.” The Farmer looked at the Lion. He saw that the beast had lost all his weapons. He was no longer dangerous. The Farmer smiled, but this time it wasn’t a polite smile. He picked up a big, heavy stick from behind the door. “Get out!” shouted the Farmer. “You foolish beast! How dare you think you can marry a human?” He chased the Lion with the stick. The Lion tried to roar, but it sounded funny without his teeth. He tried to scratch, but he had no claws. Defeated and ashamed, the Lion ran back to the forest. He realized too late that he had given away his greatest strengths for a foolish wish.

Moral of the Story: Think before you change yourself for others. Never give up your natural strengths, or you became vulnerable.