"What a fine dinner I shall take home to my family," thought Brother Bear to himself, as he began trying to count the number of times his tail had been nibbled, and he had sent something flying across for Brother Fox to guard.
While he was trying to count, North Wind came along and saw him sitting there with his eyes closed, and his tail hanging down in the water.
"I shall have to play a trick on Brother Bear, I do believe!" chuckled North Wind to himself, and he sent a cold breath over the water, so that it became quite still. Then he sent another breath, and a cold, shining crust formed all across its top. After that he sent another breath, and another, and the cold, shining crust grew thicker and thicker.
Presently Brother Bear stopped trying to count and opened his eyes. "Brother Fox," he called, "there seems to be no more game in the river. I have not felt a nibble for a long time."
But Brother Fox was just finishing a nice bone, and he called back earnestly, "Oh, be patient, Brother Bear! I am sure you will catch more game if you wait a little longer."
So Brother Bear closed his eyes again and
