Aesop's Fables 4

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 labors of the great, but you will not share the spoils."