97. The Voice That Betrays

Before setting off on a trip, a farmer has the bright idea to drape a lion's skin over his prized ass to prevent it from being stolen or hunted as it grazes in the grain fields in his absence. Later that day, the village watchman sees this would-be lion prowling through the fields and rouses the village. They timidly approach to give chase, at which the ass begins to bray, revealing itself for what it is. Angry at the deception and unnecessary panic, the villagers catch the ass, strip off its disguise, and beat it to death.

Or, if you like, an alpha lion once loved a jackal, and the jackal gave birth to a cub who resembles his father exactly. The lion accepts the cub into his pack to raise him like a prince. One day, after a rain shower and a good kill, the pack roars, but when this hybrid cub-passing-as-lion roars, a series of yelps and howls emerges. The other lions ask their king, "What sort of lion is that?" The king assures them it is nothing, then takes his boy aside and advises him, "If you should like to live as a lion, you must do so with your mouth shut."

So it is that when appearances are wont to save you, your voice will give you away.