The Fox and the Woodcutter

The Fox and the Woodcutter

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.”