A Gnat¹ came and said to a Lion: "I do not the least fear you, nor are you stronger than I am. For in what does your strength consist? You can scratch with your claws, and bite with your teeth—so can a woman in her quarrels. I repeat that I am altogether more powerful than you; and if you doubt it, let us fight and see who will conquer." The Gnat, having sounded his horn, fastened itself upon the Lion, and stung him on the nostrils². The Lion, trying to crush him, tore himself with his claws, until he punished himself severely³. The Gnat thus prevailed over the Lion, and buzzing about in a song of triumph, flew away. But shortly afterwards he became entangled⁴ in the meshes⁵ of a cobweb, and was eaten by a spider. He greatly lamented⁶ his fate, saying: "Woe⁷ is me, that I, who can wage war successfully with the hugest beasts, should perish myself from this spider."