THE WOLF AND THE FOX.
I.
Preparation.
A wolf made a fox get his food for him. He made him take food from farmers’ yards and houses.
What kind of food would a wolf find in a farmer’s yard?
Narration.
AT THE FARMYARD.
Once upon a time a wolf caught a fox and kept him as a servant. Whatever the wolf said, the fox must do. One day they were going through a forest and the wolf said to the fox, “Get me some food or I will eat you.” The fox said, “I know a farmyard where there are two young lambs which, if you wish, I will fetch for you?” This pleased the wolf very much. They went to the farmyard and the fox, slipping slyly into the yard, stole a fine young lamb and brought it to the wolf.
When he had done this he ran away, leaving the wolf alone to enjoy his dinner. The wolf quickly devoured the lamb, but did not feel satisfied. He wanted more, and went to get the other lamb from the yard. But he was so clumsy and made so much noise that the mother sheep heard him. She cried out, “Baa! baa!” This wakened the farmers and they came running to help her. They found the wolf and, before the thief could get over the fence, they beat him severely. He ran limping to the fox and said, “You have led me into a fine place! When I went to get the other lamb the farmers came out and beat me terribly.”
“That is because you are such a glutton,” said the fox. “You always want too much.”
Suggestions.
Compare wolf and fox, their homes, food, etc.
Explain glutton.
Describe the conduct of the wolf. Did he deserve punishment?
II.
Preparation.
The wolf and the fox visit a farm house to get some pancakes.
Narration.
AT THE FARM HOUSE.
The next day the wolf and the fox again went into the forest and the greedy wolf said to the fox. “Get me something to eat right quick or I will eat you!” The fox said he knew of a farm house near by where the cook was going to make some pancakes that very day. So they turned and went there.
When they got there the sly fox crept up very quietly and entered the house. He sneaked around till he found where the dish was that held the pancakes. He then slyly drew out six of the cakes and took them to the wolf, saying, “Here is something for you to eat,” and ran away as before.
The wolf ate them and, in a minute or two, wishing to have more, he went into the house and tried to get some out of the dish. But he was so clumsy that he knocked the dish down. It fell with a loud crash and was broken in pieces. The noise alarmed the cook who came running out. When she saw the wolf she called the family. The farmer came and beat him with such good will that he ran home to the fox howling, and with two lame legs.
“What a fine place you have drawn me into now!” he cried. “The farmers have caught me again and dressed my skin till my bones cracked.” “Why, then, are you such a glutton?” asked the fox.
III.
Preparation.
On the third day they visited a farmer’s cellar.
Explain cellar. Food found there.
Narration.
IN THE CELLAR.
They went out again the third day, the wolf limping along very painfully. When they were some distance from home the wolf said to the fox, “Get me something to eat quick, or I will eat you.”
The fox said he knew a man who had just killed a pig and salted it down in a cask in his cellar. The wolf replied, “I will go with you if you promise to help me if we get into trouble.” “Of course I will help you,” said the fox, and showed him how to get into the cellar.
Once in, there was plenty of meat. The wolf was delighted at the sight and set to work at once. The fox, too, liked meat; but he kept looking around while eating and running now and then to the hole through which they came, to see if his body would still slip through easily. Presently the wolf asked, “Why are you running about so?” “I want to see if any one is coming,” replied the cunning fox. “Mind you don’t eat too much!”
The wolf said he would not leave till all the meat was eaten.
Meanwhile the farmer, who had heard the noise made by the pair in the cellar, walked in. The fox, as soon as he saw him, made a spring and was out through the hole in a jiffy.
The wolf tried to follow, but he had eaten so much that his body was too big for the hole and he stuck fast. Then came the farmer with a stout cudgel and beat him to death.
The fox ran away into the forest, very glad to be rid of his greedy master.
Suggestions.
Farms, farmers. Where does our food come from? Preserving meat.
Why did the fox serve the wolf? Was either one honest? Who was made to do wrong?