บทที่ บทที่ 70 · The Fox and the Cat

. The Fox and the Cat

It happened that the cat met the fox in a forest, and as she thought to

herself, “He is clever and full of experience, and much esteemed in the

world,” she spoke to him in a friendly way. “Good-day, dear Mr. Fox,

how are you? How is all with you? How are you getting through this dear

season?” The fox, full of all kinds of arrogance, looked at the cat

from head to foot, and for a long time did not know whether he would

give any answer or not. At last he said, “Oh, thou wretched

beard-cleaner, thou piebald fool, thou hungry mouse-hunter, what canst

thou be thinking of? Dost thou venture to ask how I am getting on? What

hast thou learnt? How many arts dost thou understand?” “I understand

but one,” replied the cat, modestly. “What art is that?” asked the fox.

“When the hounds are following me, I can spring into a tree and save

myself.” “Is that all?” said the fox. “I am master of a hundred arts,

and have into the bargain a sackful of cunning. Thou makest me sorry

for thee; come with me, I will teach thee how people get away from the

hounds.” Just then came a hunter with four dogs. The cat sprang nimbly

up a tree, and sat down on top of it, where the branches and foliage

quite concealed her. “Open your sack, Mr. Fox, open your sack,” cried

the cat to him, but the dogs had already seized him, and were holding

him fast. “Ah, Mr. Fox,” cried the cat. “You with your hundred arts are

left in the lurch! Had you been able to climb like me, you would not

have lost your life.”