---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They forgot to feed them for a few days…"
description: "\"“They forgot to feed them for a few days and, when they remembered, both lions lay limp in their cage, as if dead. A juggler and a clown went in to che..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/522/wilkie-martin-35880_humor_they-forgot-to-feed-them-for-a-few-days_344194.jpg"
---

#  They forgot to feed them for a few days and, when they…

![“They forgot to feed them for a few days and, when they remembered, both lions lay limp in their cage, as if dead. A juggler and a clown went in to check - the clown had nicked himself shaving and was bleeding. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the lions weren't dead: they'd merely been sleeping…” quote by Wilkie Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/522/wilkie-martin-35880_humor_they-forgot-to-feed-them-for-a-few-days_344194.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/522/wilkie-martin-35880_humor_they-forgot-to-feed-them-for-a-few-days_344194.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/522/wilkie-martin-35880_humor_they-forgot-to-feed-them-for-a-few-days_344194.jpg)

> ““They forgot to feed them for a few days and, when they remembered, both lions lay limp in their cage, as if dead. A juggler and a clown went in to check - the clown had nicked himself shaving and was bleeding. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the lions weren't dead: they'd merely been sleeping and woke to find two men in their cage and the door wide open." "Gosh," I said. "That must have been very scary, especially for the bleeding clown." "Language, Andy. As it happens, the lions, ignoring the clown, went straight for the juggler..””

[Wilkie Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-martin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A brief tale illustrating how misinterpretation of animal behavior can lead to unexpected outcomes, highlighting the importance of observation and context.

**In simple terms:** Misreading signs can cause surprise.

Key Takeaway

Observe carefully before reacting.

Themes

observation misinterpretation surprise animal behavior

Mood

amused intrigued

Type

anecdotal narrative

When to use this quote

- zoo management
- animal training
- storytelling
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

cognitive bias contextual awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- How does context change perception?
- What assumptions did characters make?

A Different Perspective

The story may be exaggerated for effect, limiting factual reliability.

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