THE FOX AND THE FAITHFUL HORSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 258, 31 October 1928, Page 18

THE FOX AND THE FAITHFUL HORSE.

A farmer had a horse that had been an excellent, faithful servant to him, but he was now grown too old to work; so the, farmer would give him nothing more to eat, and said: "I want you no longer, so take yourself off out of my stable. I shall not take you back again until you are stronger than a lion." Then he opened the door and turned him adrift.

The poor horse was very melancholy and wandered up and down in the wood, seeking some shelter from the cold wind and rain. Presently a fox met him.

"What's the matter, my friend?" said he. "Why do you hang down your head and look so lonely and sad V

"All," replied the horse, "my master has forgotten all I have done for him so many years, and because I can no longer work he has turned me adrift and says that unless I become stronger than a lion he will not take me back again."

However, the fox bade him be of good cheer, and said:

"I will help you. Lie down there, stretch yourself out quite stiff, and pretend to be dead."

The horse did as he was told and the fox went straight to the lion who lived in a cave close by and said to him: "A little way off lies a dead horse. Come with me and you may make an excellent meal of his carcase."

The lion was greatly pleased and set off immediately; and when they came to the horse the fox said:

"You will not be able to eat him comfortably here. I'll tell you what: I will tie you fast to his tail, and then you can draw him to your den and eat him at your leisure."

This advice pleased the lion, so he lay down quietly for the fox to make him fast to the horse. But the fox managed to tic his legs together and bound them so hard and fast that, with all bis strength, he could not set himself free. When the work was done the fox clapped the horse on the shoulder and said, "Jip, Dobbin! Jip!" Then up the horse sprang and dashed off, dragging the lion behind him. The beast began to roar and bellow, till all the birds of the wood flew away in a fright; but the horse let him roar on and made his way to his master's house.

"Here he is, master," said he. "1 have got the better of him." And when the fanner saw his old servant his heart relented and he said: "You Bhall stay in your stable and be taken care of."