In Aesop's fable about the lion who hunted
with several other animals, the spoils of the hunt were demanded by the
lion. He claimed one-quarter share as king of the beasts; a second because
he was braver than any other animal; a third for his mate and c ubs; "and
as for the fourth, let he who will dispute it with me." In another version
of the tale the lion says the last share belongs to everyone. "But touch
it if you dare!" In any case from "The Lion and His Fellow-Hunters"
derives our term a lion's share, all or nearly all of anything, and
leonine contract, a completely one-sided agreement.