The Lion’s Share

A lion, a fox, and a wolf learn about fairness and the imbalance of power in the jungle.

The Lion’s Share

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Once upon a time in a vast, sunlit forest, a lion, a fox, and a wolf formed an unlikely trio. One day, they worked together to catch a swift deer. After a long and tiring chase, they finally succeeded, and all three were excited to feast on their hard-earned meal.

As they gathered around the deer, the lion roared proudly, “Since I am the king of the jungle, I deserve the largest share!” With a flick of his powerful paw, he took the biggest and juiciest piece of meat for himself.

The fox and the wolf exchanged uneasy glances, feeling the weight of the lion’s command. They wanted to protest, but they knew better than to challenge the king. After all, the lion was strong and intimidating. Reluctantly, they accepted their smaller portions, grumbling under their breath.

The fox thought, This isn’t fair! We all contributed to the hunt. Meanwhile, the wolf sighed, feeling frustrated but knowing that challenging the lion could lead to trouble. They both learned that sometimes, those who hold power take more than they truly deserve, leaving little for those who share in the effort.

As they ate, the fox and wolf realized that true fairness means sharing equally among all who participate, regardless of rank or strength.

From that day on, they vowed to be cautious about teaming up with those who might take advantage of their hard work.

Moral:

Power often takes more than it deserves.

Parenting Tip: Use this story to teach children about fairness and equality. Encourage discussions about sharing, cooperation, and standing up for what’s right, even in challenging situations.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

  • Why did the lion claim the biggest share of the deer?
  • How do you think the fox and the wolf felt about the lion’s decision?
  • If you were the fox or the wolf, what would you have done differently?
  • What does it mean to share fairly?
  • Can you think of a time when you had to share something with others? Was it fair?
  • Why do you think the lion felt he deserved the biggest share?
  • What would you do to make sure everyone gets an equal share during a group activity?
  • Do you think strength or power should determine how much someone gets? Why or why not?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Jungle Animals!

  1. Unlike most big cats, lions live in groups called prides, which can have up to 30 members.
  2. Foxes are clever hunters. They can hear small animals moving underground and use their tails for balance while hunting.
  3. Wolves hunt in packs and use teamwork to catch their prey. Everyone gets a share, even the pups!
  4. A lion’s roar can be heard up to 5 miles away, warning rivals or gathering their pride.
  5. Foxes communicate through gestures: Foxes use tail movements and sounds to “talk” to each other.
  6. Wolves have a pecking order: Pack members follow a hierarchy to maintain order during hunts and meals.
  7. Deer are fast runners: Some deer species can run up to 30 mph to escape predators.
  8. Lions are only active for about 4 hours a day. They spend the rest of their time napping—sometimes up to 20 hours!
  9. Wolves bond by howling. A pack howl strengthens relationships and helps locate members.
  10. Unlike most dogs, some fox species are skilled climbers!

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!

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