Week 2 Story: The Lion's Share (cont.) or The Wolf's Share

Caption: Better in Numbers
Link: Wolf Pack Howling - SOUND ONLY!

“What a concept,” remarked the Jackal. The Jackal and the Wolf were not amused by the Lion’s choice to keep the late Stag to himself. They were hungry, and the Lion was using strength and ferocity to his advantage. The Fox had already left, so it was up to them to take back what belonged to them.

“Yes. It is true that we did most of the work for a meal that the Lion has clearly claimed for himself,” said the Wolf, “Let us come up with a plan to overpower him, as he believes that merely threatening us will keep us at bay.”

The Jackal, who had been angry enough to go to war with the Lion a few moments earlier, quickly remembered his size and disposition. He was overcome with a chilling cowardice. “Actually Wolf... I think you will need to do this alone. You are big, you are fast, and you are strong. I am nothing to be scared of, and the Lion will eat me as well as the Stag. Goodbye and good luck.” And with that the Jackal was gone.

“Now what will I do?” said the Wolf. I am big, I am fast, and I am strong, but by myself I am nothing against the Lion. But then, he had a realization. “Ah, yes, I am no match by myself. However, I am not the only wolf in the world. I have a pack. My pack is bigger, my pack is faster, and my pack is stronger. With them I will surely get my meal.”

The Lion had started his meal. He had barely eaten two bites when over the horizon came the Wolf.

“I see you did not understand me when I said that I would like to see anyone dare to touch the fourth quarter of the Stag with their paw. I meant by this that if you touch this meal, my meal, you will surely die,” the Lion said. The Wolf did not seem to be phased, however. “Why are you still here? Be gone, and allow me to eat in peace.”

At that moment, the Wolf began to step closer. Soon, there were more wolves behind him. Coming closer. Inching forward. The Wolf said to the Lion, “I will give you a choice. You can give me three times my share of the Stag, or my pack and I will attack you, swiftly, and you will die with no share in the Stag.” At this, the wolves had surrounded the Lion.

“Oh,” the Lion said, “You have called my bluff. Here is your share threefold.”

As he walked away, looking back the Lion thought to himself, “Sharing is an acceptable alternative to dying.”

- - -

Authors Note: In the original story, "The Lion's Share," the Fox, Jackal, Wolf, and Lion had just caught a Stag after hunting for a significant amount of time. When they had caught it, the Lion made the other three characters "quarter" the Stag presumably so they could split the bounty before them. However, after the food was ready to be taken, the Lion said this part is mine, and this part is mine, and this part is mine, and... oh yes, this part is mine as well. Goodbye. This prompted the Fox to walk away upset saying, "You may share the labours of the great, but you will not share the spoil". I thought, since we received the response from only one of the characters, it would be interesting to continue the story with the responses from the other two characters with an emphasis on the Wolf's reaction.

For Reference:
"The Lion's Share" from The Fables of Aesop by Joseph Jacobs (1894). Web Source.