# The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

The Lion complains to Jupiter about his fear of a cock's crow, but Jupiter dismisses his complaint. Later, the Lion meets the Elephant, who confesses his fear of a gnat. The Lion takes comfort in realizing that even the mighty Elephant has a weakness, making his own fear less shameful.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Nature and Vice

Explores how even the mightiest creatures have irrational fears, highlighting the universality of vulnerability.

### Perseverance and Effort

The Lion's shift in perspective shows a form of emotional perseverance, finding strength in shared weakness.

## Character check-ins

### The Lion

Complains to Jupiter about his fear of a cock's crow, then finds solace in the Elephant's similar fear of a gnat.

### Jupiter

Tells the Lion that his fear is his only failing and that he should be content.

### The Elephant

Confesses to the Lion that he is terrified of a gnat getting into his ear.

## Key lines

> The Lion, for all his size and strength, and his sharp teeth and claws, is a coward in one thing: he can’t bear the sound of a cock crowing, and runs away whenever he hears it.

Despite being large and powerful, the Lion is terrified of a rooster's crow and flees at the sound.

_Introduces the Lion's hidden weakness._

> if the Elephant, huge as he is, is afraid of a gnat, I needn’t be so much ashamed of being afraid of a cock, who is ten thousand times bigger than a gnat.

Since the enormous Elephant fears a tiny gnat, the Lion feels less embarrassed about fearing a much larger rooster.

_The Lion's realization that his fear is not unique._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-lion-jupiter-and-the-elephant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters