A Lion who was the king of a great forest once said to his subjects: "I want some one among you to tell me stories one after another without ceasing. If you fail to find somebody who can so amuse me, you will all be put to death."  
In the East there is a proverb which says; "The king kills when he will," so the animals were in great alarm.
 
The Fox said: "Fear not; I shall save you all. Tell the king the Story-teller is ready to come to court when ordered." So the animals had orders to send the Story-teller at once to the presence. The Fox bowed respectfully, and stood before the king, who said: "So you are to tell us stories without ceasing?"
 
"Yes, your Majesty," said the Fox.
 
"Then begin," said the Lion.
 
"But before I do so," said the Fox, "I would like to know what your
Majesty means by a story."
 
"Why," said the Lion, "a narrative containing some interesting event or fact."
 
"Just so," said the Fox, and began: "There was once a fisherman who went to sea with a huge net, and spread it far and wide. A great many fish got into it. Just as the fisher............