The Lion Fable
This story follows a lion who is shy and afraid to act for fear of looking foolish. While the lion watches quietly, several other animals step up to lead without hesitation—and make things progressively worse. Each time, the lion quietly tells his mouse friend how he would have done things, and each idea sounds like it would have been a much better and more logical solution. Finally, the mouse points out that the most foolish animals in the kingdom have stepped up to lead without hesitation and suggests that the biggest fool of them all is the lion, who has the best ideas but is too timid to lead. The lion takes the mouse’s words to heart and steps up to rule.
The Animal Council
This story is about a group of animals who serve on King Lion’s council. They gather frequently when their king is not around to complain about his rules and way of doing things. They echo one another’s concerns, and all agree that the king is their greatest problem. Hearing of their doubt, the king decides to teach the animals a lesson. He disappears for two weeks. During this time, the animal council is given the chance to lead. They make several messes, and by the end of the two weeks, the mouse alerts the king that his council is desperate to find and return him to his throne. When he returns, he tells the animals not to question his leadership if they cannot do better themselves.
Question
Use the folk tale descriptions to answer the question.
What does the theme in these folktales tell you about the period in which they were popular in this society?
(1 point)
Responses
Leadership in the society frequently changed hands, sometimes with negative results.
Leadership in the society frequently changed hands, sometimes with negative results.
People in the society thought negatively about anyone who sought power.
People in the society thought negatively about anyone who sought power.
Leadership in the society required a great deal of bravery that few average people had.
Leadership in the society required a great deal of bravery that few average people had.
People in the society were concerned about the quality or fitness of their leaders.
People in the society were concerned about the quality or fitness of their leaders.