What did you learn from the story “The Dog and the Lion”? The lion, commonly known as Arimaonga and acclaimed as the king of the jungle, was hungry and emaciated. He was walking on a muddy road when he saw a dog. The dog turned pale and would have run away if he were sure he could reach a place of safety. But with no escape, the dog faced the lion. “What can I do for the king of the jungle?” the dog said, trying to sound composed. “I want you for my food. I am hungry now,” the lion roared. The dog trembled at the lion’s words but tried to think hard. He saw a shadow reflected on a clear pool of water. Then an idea struck him. He said, “Lion, you cannot eat me because if you do, all the lions that the dogs have captured will be killed.” The lion laughed loud and long. “Look into these prison-houses, Lion,” the dog said, pointing at the clear pools of water, “and you will behold the lions we dogs have captured.” The lion followed the dog, and sure enough, in every pool of water he looked into, he saw a lion and a dog. The great king of the jungle was saddened. He and his tribe were not as strong as they used to be. And he walked away.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The story of “The Dog and the Lion” offers valuable lessons about resourcefulness, perception, and power dynamics. At its core, it illustrates how intelligence and quick thinking can outmaneuver brute strength, which is a theme often seen in fables.
In this story, the lion, Arimaonga, who is considered the king of the jungle, finds himself in a vulnerable position—hungry and weak. When he encounters the dog, he intends to make it his meal, relying solely on his physical strength and status as the “king.” However, the dog, realizing that he cannot physically overpower the lion, uses his wit to survive. The dog cleverly plays on the lion’s pride and fear by suggesting that the dogs have already captured all the lions in the jungle. The lion, intrigued by this claim, looks into the reflections in the water and sees what appears to be lions captured by dogs.
This clever deception tricks the lion into thinking that the dogs have power over lions, which makes him reconsider eating the dog. The lion’s vulnerability here is not just physical but also psychological. The dog doesn’t fight the lion directly but rather appeals to the lion’s pride and ego, showing that power is not always about physical dominance.
The lesson in the story is multifaceted. It highlights that brains can defeat brawn, and sometimes quick thinking and perception can change the course of events. It also comments on the fragility of power, suggesting that even the strongest can be influenced by their fears and doubts. Finally, the story speaks to the idea that appearances and perceptions can be more powerful than reality.
