The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant

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The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant
        THE LION wearied Jupiter with his frequent complaints.  "It is
        true, O Jupiter!"  he said, "that I am gigantic in strength,
        handsome in shape, and powerful in attack.  I have jaws well
        provided with teeth, and feet furnished with claws, and I lord it
        over all the beasts of the forest, and what a disgrace it is,
        that being such as I am, I should be frightened by the crowing of
        a cock."  Jupiter replied, "Why do you blame me without a cause? I
        have given you all the attributes which I possess myself, and
        your courage never fails you except in this one instance."  On
        hearing this the Lion groaned and lamented very much and,
        reproaching himself with his cowardice, wished that he might die.
        As these thoughts passed through his mind, he met an Elephant and
        came close to hold a conversation with him.  After a time he
        observed that the Elephant shook his ears very often, and he
        inquired what was the matter and why his ears moved with such a
        tremor every now and then.  Just at that moment a Gnat settled on
        the head of the Elephant, and he replied, "Do you see that little
        buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, my fate is sealed.  I should
        die presently."  The Lion said, "Well, since so huge a beast is
        afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish myself
        dead.  I find myself, even as I am, better off than the
        Elephant."