1. The lion is the king of the deserts
And all the barren lands contain

2. The subjects flocked to him one day
In total submission and despair

3. They said may you live long and reign
O one with claws that tear and maim

4. The minister died, so who will now
Rule over the affairs of feral game

5. The donkey said I choose as vizier
Myself, for I the role acclaim

6. At this she laughed and then proclaimed
What merit did you find to name

7. Yourself as minister, you fool
And spread this jest both far and wide

8. Until a month or day had passed
The lion did not realize

9. That his kingdom was in shards
The ape stood to his right-hand side

10. The dog was posted to his left
The cat before him, batting, eyed

11. A rat for play, without respect
He said, which of my ancestors

12. Would act with such disgrace, devoid
Of all my might and massacres

13. My awe, repute that was enjoyed
The ape approached him secretively

14. And after making his excuses
Said, O exalted one, let be

15. Keep high your noblest attributes
For the subjects' views of you

16. Come from your views of the witless brute