The King's Son and the Painted Lion

“The King's Son and the Painted Lion” by Aesop

A King had a dream in which he watched as his only son was killed by a lion. So scared was the King that his dream was a prediction of the future that he put him in a specially-made palace far away from all the dangers of his dream. In order to keep his son entertained, he adorned the walls of the palace with paintings of all the animals that lived safely outside the palace's walls. Among these paintings was a picture of a lion. Abandoned and alone in his palace, he grew to despise the lion. One day, he stood in front of the picture and yelled at it, “Stupid lion! If you hadn't haunted my father's dream I'd be free instead of being stuck in this palace!” He picked up a heavy hammer and swung it at the lion. The wall collapsed, crushing the son under its weight.
When word of his son's death reached the King, he knew he was responsible. In working to stop one outcome he had invited another, and so with great sorrow he learned that it is better to face one's fate with bravery than to try to escape it.