The Wolf and the Man
FOX was one day talking to a Wolf about the strength of man.
‘No animals,’ he said, ‘could withstand man, and they were obliged to use cunning to hold their own against him.’
The Wolf answered, ‘If ever I happened to see a man, I should attack him all the same.’
‘Well, I can help you to that,’ said the Fox. ‘Come to me early to-morrow, and I will show you one!’
The Wolf was early astir, and the Fox took him out to a road in the forest, traversed daily by a Huntsman.
First came an old discharged soldier.
‘Is that a Man?’ asked the Wolf.
‘No,’ answered the Fox. ‘He has been a Man.’
After that, a little boy appeared on his way to school.
“Is that a Man?’
‘No; he is going to be a Man.’
At last the Huntsman made his appearance, his gun on his back, and his hunting-knife at his side. The Fox said to the Wolf,—
‘Look! There comes a Man. You may attack him, but I will make off to my hole!’
The Wolf set on the Man, who said to himself when he saw him, ‘What a pity my gun isn’t loaded with ball,’ and fired a charge of shot in the Wolf’s face. The Wolf made a wry face, but he was not to be so easily frightened, and attacked him again. Then the Huntsman gave him the second charge. The Wolf swallowed the pain, and rushed at the Huntsman; but he drew his bright hunting-knife, and hit out right and left