Fable 102 - The Stag at the Spring and the Lion

A stag, oppressed by thirst, came to a spring to drink. After having a drink, he saw the shadowy figure of himself in the water.
He much admired his fine antlers, their grandeur and extent. But he was discontented with his legs, which he thought looked thin
and feeble. He remained there deep in reverie when suddenly a lion sprang out at him and chased him. The stag fled rapidly and
ran a great distance, for the stag’s advantage is his legs, whereas a lion’s is his heart. As long as they were in open ground, the stag
easily outdistanced the lion. But they entered a wooded area and the stag’s antlers became entangled in the branches, bringing him
to a halt so that he was caught by the lion.
As he was on the point of death, the stag said:
‘How unfortunate I am! My feet, which I had denigrated, could have saved me, whereas my antlers, on which I prided myself,
have caused my death!

And thus, in dangerous situations it is often the friends who we suspect who save us, while those on whom we rely betray us.