The Rooster and the Fox

Once upon a time, Fox-with-cunning-eyes-and-a-fluffy-tail sneaked quietly into a farmer's yard and stole a plump, speckled Rooster.

A terrible commotion broke out, and everyone rushed to chase the thief. Fox had to run for her life, but she didn't let go of the Rooster from her teeth.

However, Rooster-with-a-red-comb-and-a-loud-voice had no intention of becoming Fox's lunch. As she ran toward her den, he kept thinking and scheming about how to make Fox-the-thief loosen her grip. So he began speaking to her in a sweet, coaxing voice:

"People are so foolish to think they can catch you, Fox! How could they ever keep up with you?"

Fox liked such words—after all, she was not only cunning but also vain. And Rooster-with-a-red-comb-and-a-sweet-voice continued:

"Still, even though they can't catch you, it must not be very pleasant to have them chasing you and shouting, 'Stop the thief! Stop the thief!' If I were you, I'd shout back at them, 'This is my rooster, not the one that was stolen!' Then they'd leave you alone, and you could run home in peace."

At this, Fox couldn't resist. She opened her mouth, lifted her head high, and shouted:

"This is my rooster!"

But Rooster-with-a-red-comb-and-a-clever-voice didn't waste a second. He dashed away as fast as he could. That was the last Fox saw of him.

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The Rooster and the Fox

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