NARRATIVE (FABLE I)

The Lion in Love
A Lion once fell in love with a beautiful maiden and proposed
marriage to her parents. The old people did not know
what to say. They did not like to give their daughter to the
Lion, yet they did not wish to enrage the King of Beasts. At
last the father said: ‘We feel highly honoured by your Majesty’s
proposal, but you see our daughter is a tender young
thing, and we fear that in the vehemence of your affection
you might possibly do her some injury. Might I venture to
suggest that your Majesty should have your claws removed,
and your teeth extracted, then we would gladly consider
your proposal again.’ The Lion was so much in love that
he had his claws trimmed and his big teeth taken out. But
when he came again to the parents of the young girl they
simply laughed in his face, and bade him do his worst.