This is what Aesop wrote many centuries ago:
Picture courtesy: Graham Dyer, Barcroft Media, Daily Mail
"A fox who had never seen a lion one day met one, and was so
terrified at the sight of him that he was ready to die with fear. After a time
he met him again, and was still rather frightened, but not nearly so much as he
had been when he met him first. But when he saw him for the third time he was
so far from being afraid that he went up to him and began to talk to him as if
he had known him all his life."
This classic story is accompanied by the following pictures in 'Aesop's Fables (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)', 2003:
Artist: Arthur Rachham
Now, see this picture from the story in Daily Mail dated May 17 2015:
"Fantastic Mr Fox leaves pride of lions licking their wounds after game reserve battle - and even bites one lioness on the nose!"
"Fantastic Mr Fox leaves pride of lions licking their wounds after game reserve battle - and even bites one lioness on the nose!"
Picture courtesy: Graham Dyer, Barcroft Media, Daily Mail
Fox can't stand in style, like in the picture in the middle, because its spine and legs are injured by by a member of the pride. But it's standing its ground alright.