The Wolf and the Fox - Part One

A long time ago at the foot of some high mountains, there was a small village. In the village, two roads met, one of the roads went to the east, and the other went to the west.

Once at midnight on a full moon a great wolf came to the village.

 

The wolf had been surviving the past week on scraps, and it was determined to get a full-fledged meal tonight. In fact the wolf did not want any meal, it wanted to eat a particular fox that it had seen in this area not so long ago.

In fact, the very fox that the wolf was thinking about was roaming in the village at that particular time. 

The Fox was looking for food for its babies who were back in its caves. 

As the fox was looking around the village both the animals met each other.

The wolf's eyes glistened greedily as it looked at the fox, and the fox realized that the wolf was about to eat it. However the fox pretended not to understand anything.

When the wolf crouched to pounce upon the fox, the fox stepped back in bewilderment. "What are you doing?"

"I am going to eat you!" The wolf snarled angrily.

The fox told itself not to panic. The fox shook its head never taking its eyes off the wolf. "I am too small and I will not be able to satisfy your hunger."

"It does not matter," the wolf said. "I am hungry and I shall start with you."

The fox immediately changed tactics. "Have you no pity for a poor mother?"

The wolf smiled slyly at the Fox. "I'm dying of hunger and charity begins at home."

The Fox slowly nodded to itself. “Your request seems reasonable.” However, the Fox immediately studied the Wolf. “If I am to sacrifice myself will you give me a last wish?” 

The Wolf snarled again. “Be quick and tell me what you want. Because I cannot waste my time any more.” 

The fox pointed straight ahead. “In this village, there is a rich man who makes enough cheese in the summer to last for the whole year. He keeps the cheese in an old well which is now dry. There are two buckets on top of the well that the farmer used to draw up water. I have tried to bring that cheese to my children for many days now. But I have not yet succeeded. Will you help me take all the cheese to my children? After I have fed myself and my children, you can kill me and make a good meal for yourself."

Adapted from Basque Folk Tales