Fable analysis 1: The Lion in Love

Fable analysis 1:

The Lion in Love

THe lion in love, written by aesop

Who is Aesop?

Aesop was a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE. This story is part of his collection of tales known as "Aesop's Fables," which did not survive in writing but were passed down by people retelling them. They have deeply influenced children's literature and modern storytelling culture.

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.​

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The lion in love

What is the moral of the story?

Why is this story a fable?

Fable analysis - discussion questions

How can love change us positively and negatively?

Multiple Choice

At the beginning of this story, the father (the woodcutter) was...

• Afraid that the lion didn't really love his daughter

• Afraid that the lion would hurt his daughter

• Delighted that the lion thought his daughter was beautiful

• Unsure if the lion and his daughter would be a good match

Multiple Choice

By the end of the story, the lion was...

• won the daughter's hand in marriage

• was filled by the woodcutter

• killed the daughter when he realized he couldn't marry her

• was tricked by the father into cutting off his claws and removing his teeth

Multiple Choice

How does the father's solution to his problem influence the events of the story?

• It puts the woodcutter's daughter in more danger

• It allows the father to take power away from the lion.

• It reveals the lion's hidden insecurities.

• It shows the father's willingness to compromise

Multiple Choice

''The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal.''

What does the word "assent" mean as it is used in the text?

• to rise to the challenge

• to agree

• to decline an offer

• to allow

Poll

The lion's claws and teeth are an essential part of his identity that he gave up for love.

Do you think it was right for the lion to rid himself of those characteristics? (Opinion)

• Yes! He was in love and love is more important than everything.

• Yes, sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself for love.

• No, he was not thinking right... Blinded by love and was taken advantage of.

• This is a classic case of unrequited love. When someone loves one so much but the other doesn't feel the same way.

Poll

There is a difference between changing for love and being changed by love.

Was the lion changing for love or being changed by love?

(Opinion)

• Changing for love

  (changing himself to appeal more to someone else)

• Changed by love

  (being changed by someone else because of deep mutual love)

Open Ended

What is the moral lesson of this FABLE?