THE Cat and the Fox were once talking together in the middle of the
forest.
“I do not care what happens,” said the Fox, “for I have a thousand
tricks, any one of which would get me out of difficulty. But pray, Mrs.
Puss,” he added, “what would you do if there should be an invasion?”
[Illustration]
“I have but one course,” Puss replied. “If that would not serve me, I
should be undone.”
“I am sorry for you,” said the Fox. “I would gladly teach you one or
two of my tricks, but it is not wise to trust another. We must each
take care for himself.”
These words were hardly spoken, when a pack of hounds came upon them in
full cry.
The Cat, by means of her one well-proved safeguard, ran up a tree and
sat serenely among the branches. “This is my way,” she said to the Fox.
“What is yours to be?”
The Fox, with all his thousand tricks, was not able to get out of
sight, and fell a prey to the dogs.