Long ago a lion lived in a thick forest. He employed a fox to serve him. It took care of the lion’s needs. It ate the leftovers of animals hunted by the lion.
One day, the fox met a camel. The fox said to himself. “It will be fun if the camel is also employed in the service of the lion.” The fox asked the camel, “Dear camel, where are you going?”
The camel said, “The sun has set and soon it will be dark. Therefore, I am looking for a shelter for the night. If a lion or tiger spots me in the dark, he will kill me. “
The fox said to the camel, “Don’t be afraid of the lion. He is kind. He rewards any good work.” The camel said to the fox, “Ask the lion whether he can employ me in his service.” The fox took the camel to the lion and requested him to take him in his service. The lion agreed. So, The fox and the camel and the lion started living together. After some years, the lion became old and could not hunt. He asked the fox to get something for him to eat one day. The fox said to the lion, “What if the camel offers himself as your food?”
“Ah! Then I have no objection,” said the lion. The fox went out and whispered into the ear of the camel, “Friend! Here is a good opportunity to please our master.
He is hungry. Let us go and offer ourselves as his food. The master will be pleased with us and he will reward us for our loyalty.”
The camel said, “Yes. But, my dear friend! You should have the honour of getting the reward first.”
The fox readily agreed. The camel and the fox entered the cave. The fox said to the lion, “Oh Master! You are hungry. Please eat me.”
The lion appeared pleased and said, “Very good, I will have to reward you handsomely.”
Meanwhile, the camel became eager to prove his loyalty. He said, Oh Master! Spare the fox. Please eat me instead.” The lion was just waiting to hear these words from the camel. At once, he pounced on the camel. The stunned camel said, “But …. but …. what about my reward? ”
The cunning fox said, “This is your reward. You are indeed very lucky that you will be killed by your master. Your good deeds are being rewarded now.” The camel realized that it should not have believed the fox’s words. But it’s too late.
The lion ate up the camel. He thanked the fox and left him the remaining portion of the camel to eat.