狐狸和伐木工

Belinda

A FOX, running before the hounds, came across a Woodcutter

felling an oak and begged him to show him a safe hiding-place.

The Woodcutter advised him to take shelter in his own hut, so the

Fox crept in and hid himself in a corner. The huntsman soon came

up with his hounds and inquired of the Woodcutter if he had seen

the Fox. He declared that he had not seen him, and yet pointed,

all the time he was speaking, to the hut where the Fox lay

hidden. The huntsman took no notice of the signs, but believing

his word, hastened forward in the chase. As soon as they were

well away, the Fox departed without taking any notice of the

Woodcutter: whereon he called to him and reproached him, saying,

"You ungrateful fellow, you owe your life to me, and yet you

leave me without a word of thanks." The Fox replied, "Indeed, I

should have thanked you fervently if your deeds had been as good

as your words, and if your hands had not been traitors to your

speech."