Chapter Chapter 14 · The Fox and the Cat

The Fox and the Cat

It happened once that the Cat met Mr. Fox in the wood, and because she

thought: 'He is clever and experienced in all the ways of the world,'

she addressed him in a friendly manner.

'Good morning, dear Mr. Fox! how are you and how do you get along in

these hard times?'

The Fox, full of pride, looked at the Cat from head to foot for some

time hardly knowing whether he would deign to answer or not. At last

he said--

'Oh, you poor whisker-wiper, you piebald fool, you starveling

mouse-hunter! what has come into your head? How dare you ask me how I

am getting on? What sort of education have you had? How many arts are

you master of?'

[Illustration: The Cat crept stealthily up to the topmost branch.]

'Only one,' said the Cat, meekly.

'And what might that one be?' asked the Fox.

'When the hounds run after me, I can jump into a tree and save

myself.'

'Is that all?' said the Fox. 'I am master of a hundred arts, and I

have a sack full of cunning tricks in addition. But I pity you. Come

with me, and I will teach you how to escape the hounds.'

Just then, a huntsman came along with four hounds. The Cat sprang

trembling into a tree, and crept stealthily up to the topmost branch,

where she was entirely hidden by twigs and leaves.

'Open your sack, Mr. Fox! open your sack!' cried the Cat; but the

hounds had gripped him, and held him fast.

'O Mr. Fox!' cried the Cat, 'you with your hundred arts, and your sack

full of tricks, are caught, while I, with my one, am safe. Had you

been able to climb up here, you would not have lost your life.'

[Illustration: {So the four Brothers took their sticks in their

hands, bade their Father good-bye, and passed out of the town

gate.}]