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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