The Fox and the Cat

One day, a cat met a fox in the forest. She thought, "The fox is clever and knows so much. Everyone respects him." So she spoke to him in a friendly way. "Good day, dear Mr. Fox. How are you? How are things? How are you getting through this lovely season?"

The fox was very arrogant. He looked the cat up and down for a long time, not sure if he should even answer. At last he said, "Oh, you poor beard-licker, you spotted fool, you hungry mouse-hunter! What are you thinking? Do you dare to ask how I am? What have you learned? How many tricks do you know?"

"I know only one," said the cat modestly.

"And what trick is that?" asked the fox.

"When the dogs chase me, I can jump into a tree and save myself."

"Is that all?" said the fox. "I am a master of a hundred tricks, and I have a whole sack full of cunning. It makes me feel sorry for you. Come with me, and I will teach you how to escape from dogs."

Just then, a hunter came with four dogs. The cat sprang nimbly up a tree and sat on top, hidden by the branches and leaves. "Open your sack, Mr. Fox! Open your sack!" she cried. But the dogs had already caught the fox and held him fast.

"Oh, Mr. Fox," cried the cat. "You with your hundred tricks are left in the lurch! If you could have climbed like me, you would not have lost your life."