When the Lion reigned over the beasts of the earth he was never cruel or tyrannical, but as gentle and just as a King ought to be.
During his reign he called a general assembly of the beasts, and drew up a code of laws under which all were to live in perfect equality and harmony:
- the wolf and the lamb,
- the tiger and the stag,
- the leopard and the kid,
- the dog and the hare,
all should dwell side by side in unbroken peace and friendship.
The hare said, “Oh! how I have longed for this day when the weak take their place without fear by the side of the strong!”