บทที่ บทที่ 81 · The Fox and the Geese

. The Fox and the Geese

The fox once came to a meadow in which was a flock of fine fat geese,

on which he smiled and said, “I come in the nick of time, you are

sitting together quite beautifully, so that I can eat you up one after

the other.” The geese cackled with terror, sprang up, and began to wail

and beg piteously for their lives. But the fox would listen to nothing,

and said, “There is no mercy to be had! You must die.” At length one of

them took heart and said, “If we poor geese are to yield up our

vigorous young lives, show us the only possible favour and allow us one

more prayer, that we may not die in our sins, and then we will place

ourselves in a row, so that you can always pick yourself out the

fattest.” “Yes,” said the fox, “that is reasonable, and a pious

request. Pray away, I will wait till you are done.” Then the first

began a good long prayer, for ever saying, “Ga! Ga!” and as she would

make no end, the second did not wait until her turn came, but began

also, “Ga! Ga!” The third and fourth followed her, and soon they were

all cackling together.

When they have done praying, the story shall be continued further, but

at present they are still praying without stopping.”