The Fox and the Black Grouse

The black grouse was sitting in a tree. A fox approached him and said:
— Hello, little black grouse, my dear friend. As soon as I heard your sweet voice, I came to visit you.
— Thank you for your kind words, said the black grouse.

The fox pretended not to hear and said:
— What are you saying? I can’t hear you. You should come down to the grass, little black grouse, my dear friend, to take a walk and talk with me. I can’t hear you well from up in the tree.

The black grouse replied:
— I’m afraid to go down to the grass. It’s dangerous for us birds to walk on the ground.
— Are you afraid of me? asked the fox.
— Not you, but other animals, said the black grouse. There are all kinds of animals out there.
— No, little black grouse, my dear friend, a decree has been announced today, establishing peace across the land. Animals no longer harm each other now.
— That’s good, said the black grouse. But look, dogs are running over there. If it were like before, you’d have to run away, but now you have nothing to fear.

The fox heard about the dogs, pricked up her ears, and wanted to run.
— Where are you going? said the black grouse. There’s a decree now, the dogs won’t touch you.
— Who knows! said the fox. Maybe they haven’t heard about the decree.
And she ran away.

More fairy tales

• Ivan the Fool
• The War of the Mushrooms
• Go There — I Don't Know Where, Bring That — I Don't Know What
• The Enchanted Princess
• The Bird Language