The Lion and the Ostrich's Eggs

A Lion, the king of the plains, demanded a tribute from all the animals. When he came to the mother Ostrich, she had nothing to give but her beautiful, large eggs. The Lion, being greedy, took all of them. The Ostrich was heartbroken and went to the Hare for advice. The Hare told her, "A Lion's weakness is his pride." The next day, the Hare went to the Lion and said, "Great King, I have heard that the Ostrich is telling everyone that you are a common thief who steals the food of children. She says a true king would never do such a thing." The Lion was enraged by this insult to his honor. He immediately went back to the Ostrich's nest and returned all the eggs. "Let no one say that I am a common thief!" he roared. "I take what I want by strength, not by stealth!" The Ostrich had her eggs back, and the Hare had proven that an appeal to an enemy's pride can be a more powerful weapon than any argument for mercy.