The Fox And The Woodcutter
Aesop Fable: 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."
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