The Bowman and the Lion

by Aesop

A VERY SKILLFUL BOWMAN went to the mountains in search of game. All the beasts of the forest fled at his approach. The Lion alone challenged him to combat. The Bowman immediately let fly an arrow, and said to the Lion: I send thee my messenger, that from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall be when I assail thee.

The Lion, thus wounded, rushed away in great fear, and on a Fox exhorting him to be of good courage and not to run away at the first attack, he replied: You counsel me in vain, for if he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I abide the attack of the man himself?

Moral:
A man who can strike from a distance is no pleasant neighbor.