Zeus and the Fox

Zeus admired the fox's cunning and insight, so he decided to make the fox queen over all the animals.
At the same time, Zeus wasn't sure if the fox, elevated to this high rank and with new responsibilities, would be able to exercise self-control. So, one day while the fox was sitting on the throne and conducting royal business, Zeus let loose a beetle.
The fox could not resist: she jumped up off the throne and went chasing after the beetle like a common animal.
Zeus was disgusted and decided the fox was not worthy to be queen after all.


Inspired byMille Fabulae et Una, a collection of Latin fables that I've edited, free to read online. I am not translating the Latin here; instead, I am just telling a 100-word version of the fable.
Notes: This is fable 767 in the book, which is Perry 107. In some versions of the story, Zeus actually changes the fox into a human, as you can see in this illustration:





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