Chapter 69
A long time ago a lion fell in love with a woodcutter’s daughter and demanded to marry her. The woodcutter was not very pleased by this offer and declined the honor of such a dangerous alliance. When the lion showed his royal displeasure and threatened the poor man, however, the woodcutter realized that such a formidable creature was not to be offended through denial, and he eventually hit upon a clever expedient.
“I feel greatly flattered by your proposal,” the woodcutter said. “But, noble sir, what great teeth you have! What great claws you have! Where is a damsel who would not be frightened by such weapons as these? You must have your teeth pulled out and your claws pared before you can be a suitable bridegroom for my daughter.”
The lion submitted to these conditions right away (for what won’t a man do for love?) and then called upon the father to accept him as a son-in-law. But the woodcutter, no longer afraid of the tamed and disarmed bully, grabbed a stout club and drove the foolish suitor from his door.
Love is not only blind, it also breeds insanity.
