A lion, no longer able, from the weakness of old age, to hunt for his prey, laid himself up in his den, and, breathing with great difficulty, and speaking with a low voice, gave out that he was very ill indeed. The report soon spread among the beasts, and there was great lamentation for the sick lion. One after the other came to see him; but, catching him thus alone, and in his own den, the lion made an easy prey of them, and grew fat upon his diet.
The fox, suspecting the truth of the matter, came at length to make his visit of inquiry, and standing at some distance, asked his Majesty how he did? "Ah, my dearest friend," said the lion, "Is it you? Why do you stand so far from me? Come, sweet friend, and pour a word of consolation in the poor lion's ear, who has but a short time to live."
"Bless you!" said the fox, "but excuse me if I cannot stay; for, to tell the truth, I feel quite uneasy at the mark of the foot-steps that I see here, all printing towards your den, and none returning outwards."
Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.
病獅一頭年老體弱的獅子，無力自行覓食，只好躺在洞穴里；他呼吸困難，說話有氣無力，一臉病入膏肓的樣子。這訊息很快在獸群之間傳開了，大家都為病獅哀傷不已。他們一個接一個地來探望他；哪知道這頭獅子就這樣待在自己的洞穴里，輕而易舉地把探望者一個個捉住吃掉，把自己養得胖胖的。
狐狸對這件事有點懷疑，最後也來看個究竟。他站得遠遠的恭問萬獸之王安好。獅子道“啊，我最親愛的朋友，是你呀！為什麼站得那么遠？來，好朋友，在我這可憐的獅子耳邊說句安慰的話吧，我快不行啦。”
“願上帝保佑你！”狐狸說：“但請原諒，我不能久留。老實說，我感到十分不安。我看到這裡許多腳印都是只向府上走進來，沒有一個是走出來的哩！”