"This sort of cowardice is sure to make me old before my time," he said to himself.
As he settled down in a pile of leaves for a short rest, he heard something rustling in the bushes nearby. "Wha—" he said. "What's that? Who's there?"
"D-don't hurt me, Mr. Lion," came a voice.
"W-who are you?" shivered the Lion.
By way of an answer, a small brown monkey with shaggy fur walked slowly out of the brush. "P-please don't eat me, Mr. Lion," he said fearfully.
"Don't worry," replied the Cowardly Lion. "I had no intention of doing so. What were you doing in the bushes?"
"I heard you coming, and I was afraid," explained the simian.
"I can identify with that," said the Lion with a smile.
"I was afraid that you might be one of those awful spider-creatures that saps away the energy from everyone else," continued the monkey. "But I can see that you are not. You are a much nicer fellow than that. I think I've seen a portrait of you somewhere, in fact. You are … My oh my! Can it be true? You're him, aren't you?"
"Who?" asked the big cat.