A Lion once fell in love with a beautiful maiden1 and proposed

　　marriage to her parents. The old people did not know what to say.

　　They did not like to give their daughter to the Lion, yet they did

　　not wish to enrage2 the King of Beasts. At last the father said:

　　"We feel highly honoured by your Majesty3's proposal, but you see

　　our daughter is a tender young thing, and we fear that in the

　　vehemence of your affection you might possibly do her some injury.

　　Might I venture to suggest that your Majesty should have your

　　claws removed, and your teeth extracted, then we would gladly

　　consider your proposal again." The Lion was so much in love that

　　he had his claws trimmed and his big teeth taken out. But when he

　　came again to the parents of the young girl they simply laughed in

　　his face, and bade him do his worst.

　　Love can tame the wildest.