One moonlight night a Fox was prowling about a
farmer’s hen-coop, and saw a Cock roosting high up
beyond his reach. ‘Good news, good news!’ he cried.
‘Why, what is that?’ said the Cock.
‘King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may
hurt a bird henceforth, but all shall dwell together in
brotherly friendship.’
‘Why, that is good news,’ said the Cock; ‘and there I
see some one coming, with whom we can share the good
tidings.’ And so saying he craned his neck forward and
looked afar off.
‘What is it you see?’ said the Fox.
‘It is only my master’s Dog that is coming towards us.
What, going so soon?’ he continued, as the Fox began to
turn away as soon as he had heard the news. ‘Will you not
stop and congratulate the Dog on the reign of universal
peace?’
‘I would gladly do so,’ said the Fox, ‘but I fear he may
not have heard of King Lion’s decree.’
Cunning often outwits itself.
