A lion watched a fat bull feeding in a meadow. His mouth watered at the thought of a royal feast, but he dared not attack, fearing the bull's sharp horns. Hunger, however, compelled him to act. Knowing force would not succeed, he determined to resort to artifice.
Approaching the bull in a friendly manner, the lion said, "I must say how much I admire your magnificent figure! What a fine head! What powerful shoulders and thighs! But, my dear friend, why do you wear those ugly horns? You must find them as awkward as they are unsightly. Believe me, you would be much better off without them."
The bull was foolish enough to be swayed by this flattery and had his horns cut off. Having lost his only means of defence, he became an easy prey to the lion.