Once upon a time, in days of yore,
The Lion and the Leopard waged a long war
Over disputed forests, thickets, and groves.
They had no desire to settle disputes by law;
For the strong are often blind to what is just.
They had their own code:
Whoever prevails is right.
However, in the end, they realized that fighting couldn't last forever—
And claws would become dull.
The heroes decided to resolve matters fairly;
They intended to end the military affairs,
To put an end to all strife,
And then, as is customary, to conclude a lasting peace
Until the next quarrel.
“Let us quickly appoint
Secretaries from our ranks,”
The Leopard suggests to the Lion, “and let their wisdom decide,
And let it be so.
I, for example, will appoint the Cat:
The creature may not be impressive, but his conscience is clear;
And you appoint the Donkey: he is of noble lineage,
And, to be honest,
He is a valuable asset to your court!
Believe me, as a friend: your court and all its treasures
Are hardly worth his hooves.
Let us rely on that,
On what
He will achieve with my Cat.”
And the Lion approved the Leopard's idea
Without argument;
But instead of the Donkey, he appointed the Fox
From his side for this deliberation,
Muttering to himself (as if he knew the world):
“Whom our enemy praises, there is surely no merit in.”
Krylov I.A.