The Fox and the Lion

WHEN A FOX who had never yet seen a Lion, fell in with him by chance for the first time in the forest, he was so frightened that he nearly died with fear. On meeting him for the second time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same extent as at first. On seeing him the third time, he so increased in boldness that he went up to him and commenced a familiar conversation with him.

一度もライオンを見たことのなかったキツネが、森の中で初めてたまたまライオンに出くわしたとき、あまりの恐ろしさに死にそうになった。二度目に出会ったときも、まだかなりこわかったが、最初ほどではなかった。三度目に見かけたときには、すっかり度胸がついて、ライオンのそばへ歩み寄り、なれなれしく話しかけ始めた。

Acquaintance softens prejudices.

慣れれば偏見はやわらぐ。