A lion, a fox, and an ass went out hunting together. They soon took a large booty, which the lion requested the ass to divide. The ass divided it into three equal parts and modestly asked the others to choose first. At this, the lion, bursting with fury, sprang upon the ass and tore him to pieces.
Then, glaring at the fox, he bade him make a fresh division. The fox gathered almost the whole into one great heap for the lion's share, leaving only the smallest possible morsel for himself. "My dear friend," said the lion, "how did you get the knack of it so well?" The fox replied, "Me? Oh, I took a lesson from the ass."
Happy is he who learns from the misfortunes of others.