The Woodcutter and the Lion

Once a woodcutter went to a forest to cut wood. As he began cutting the tree, he heard a growl.

He saw a lion sitting under the tree. The poor woodcutter was frightened and started running.

The lion said to the woodcutter, "Don't be afraid. I have a thorn in my foot. I can't walk. I haven't hunted, and I'm very hungry. Please remove the thorn from my foot."

The woodcutter said, "You will eat me." The lion said, "I won't eat you. Remove the thorn... or I will eat you." The woodcutter removed the thorn and went home.

Upon reaching home, he told his wife this story and threw a party to celebrate his return. He also invited the lion.

Now his guests were afraid of the lion. The woodcutter told the people that there was no need to be afraid of the lion; this lion was even more docile than a dog. 

The lion asked the woodcutter to bring an axe, and then the lion told the woodcutter to strike the lion's back with all his might.

The woodcutter told the lion that if he hit the lion, the lion would eat him.

The lion said that if the woodcutter didn't do so, he would eat him.

Well, the woodcutter did just that. The lion went back to the forest.

A few years later, the woodcutter met the lion again in the forest.

The lion reminded the woodcutter of the incident at the party.

The lion said, "Look, the wound from the axe has long healed, but the wound from your comparison of me to a dog hasn't healed yet."

Words are very important. One should choose their words carefully before speaking.

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