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When the Lion reigned over the beasts of the earth he was never

cruel or tyrannical, but as gentle and just as a King ought to

be. During his reign he called a general assembly of the beasts,

and drew up a code of laws under which all were to live in

perfect equality and harmony: the wolf and the lamb, the tiger

and the stag, the leopard and the kid, the dog and the hare, all

should dwell side by side in unbroken peace and friendship. The

hare said, "Oh! how I have longed for this day when the weak take

their place without fear by the side of the strong!"

THE ASS AND HIS DRIVER