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was wandering over the desert, seeking water. It was very hot, and the sun had dried so many pools that it was a long time before he found a well where he could assuage his thirst. But this he did at last, although the water in it was not at all fresh. However, he was too thirsty to care much whether it was stale or not.

He reached down to drink, and then his ears were assailed with the buzzing of mosquitoes, who said to him:

"Lion, leave us in peace. We did not ask you to come here and drink up our home, and you are not welcome."

This surprised the Lion, who was not used to being spoken to in such an impertinent manner. He roared and said: "Do you know whom you are speaking to? I am the Lion, the King of all beasts. What affair of yours is it what I do? Leave me at once, or I will kill you all."

But the Mosquitoes said: "You are one,