The Fox and the Horse
A peasant had a faithful horse which had grown
old and could do no more work, so his master would no longer give him anything to eat and
said, I can certainly make no more use of you, but still I mean well by you, if you prove
yourself still strong enough to bring me a lion here, I will maintain you, but now take
yourself away out of my stable. And with that he chased him into the open country. The
horse was sad, and went to the forest to seek a little protection there from the weather.
Then the fox met him and said, why do you hang your head so, and go about all alone. Alas,
replied the horse, avarice and fidelity do not dwell together in one house. My master has
forgotten what services I have performed for him for so many years, and because I can no
longer plough well, he will give me no more food, and has driven me out. Without giving
you a chance, asked the fox. The chance was a bad one. He said, if I were still strong
enough to bring him a lion, he would keep me, but he well knows that I cannot do that. The
fox said, I will help you, just lay yourself down, stretch yourself out as if you were
dead, and do not stir. The horse did as the fox desired, and the fox went to the lion, who
had his den not far off, and said, a dead horse is lying outside there, just come with me,
you can have a rich meal. The lion went with him, and when they were both standing by the
horse the fox said, after all, it is not very convenient for you here - I tell you what -
I will fasten it to you by the tail, and then you can drag it into your cave, and devour
it in peace. This advice pleased the lion, he lay down, and in order that the fox might
tie the horse fast to him, he kept quite quiet. But the fox tied the lion's legs together
with the horse's tail, and twisted and fastened all so well and so strongly that no
strength could break it. When he had finished his work, he tapped the horse on the
shoulder and said, pull, white horse, pull. Then up sprang the horse at once, and drew the
lion away with him. The lion began to roar so that all the birds in the forest flew out in
terror, but the horse let him roar, and drew him and dragged him over the country to his
master's door. When the master saw the lion, he was of a better mind, and said to the
horse, you shall stay with me and fare well, and he gave him plenty to eat until he died.
--The End-- |
