Seven—and One—Fables That May Keep You Awake
If You Read Them on a Sleepless Night — Chapter Four

Guu drifted into a harbor town
under the moonlight.

At the harbor,
a lion was roaring:

“Gaooo… Gaooo…”

The animals scattered in all directions,
hiding themselves
and watching the lion in fear.

The lion noticed Guu
and spoke awkwardly:

“The truth is…
I like everyone very much.

It’s not just because they taste good.

I roar and drive them away
so that I don’t accidentally kill anyone.

I hate being alone—
yet I always end up doing the opposite.”

After finishing its roaring,
the lion walked slowly
along the moonlit path
toward the hill where its den lay.

Guu followed and asked:

“What are you most afraid of?”

“Death,” the lion answered.
“Because I live by eating other creatures,
I understand the fear of death
better than anyone.

And more than death itself…
what I fear most
is the long, lonely time
before it comes.”