The Lion and the Ram

A ram, separated from his flock, wandered a forest alone, his heavy fleece and horns bristling in every direction, making him look far more formidable than he actually was.

A lion in that same forest encountered the ram and, unsettled by his strange, imposing bulk and apparent fearlessness in wandering the wilderness so openly, concluded the creature must be more powerful than himself, and kept a cautious distance.

Some time later, the lion happened to see the same ram again, this time calmly grazing on grass along the forest floor -- an utterly ordinary, harmless activity that revealed the true, humble nature hidden beneath the intimidating appearance.

Recognizing that true strength is reflected in what a creature actually needs and does, not merely how it looks, the lion made a swift calculation and killed the ram without hesitation.

The tale is remembered as a caution about the risks of revealing ordinary vulnerabilities in front of those who may be sizing you up: an intimidating appearance can protect you only until it is tested against your everyday, unguarded behavior.