Once upon a time, there were two friends, a fox and a hedgehog. Every morning, they met under an apple tree and planned for a daring adventure. The fox was so boastful that he always told his friend that he was the cleverest fox in the forest. The hedgehog always looked languidly at him and said nothing. He only smiled.
One day, the latter-I mean the hedgehog-was having a sweet nap under the apple tree when suddenly the fox turned up and said:
“Wake up, hedgehog! I’ve heard the farmer will be away from the farm. How about going into and eat some delicious fruits. Ah, fruits! I’m dying to eat and eat until my poor stomach starts singing a joyful limerick.”
“How can we get in?” Said the hedgehog.
“Well, don’t worry; I’ve found a hole through which we can slither unnoticed.”
“OK, then! Let’s go!
Once there in front of the hole, the fox and the hedgehog stealthily entered one after the other, into the farm and started eating different kinds of fruits. While doing so, the hedgehog said to the fox:
“Hey, friend! Eat and measure!”
“Eat and what?” Said the fox, “Are we at a Math class?”
“Well,” said the hedgehog. “My mum always advises me to do so!”
“Oh, come on, friend!” Said the fox. “Don’t speak nonsense! Let’s eat and regale ourselves. I’m sure you will always remember this unforgettable party.”
The hedgehog so practical, following his mum’s words to the letter, that he ate and from time to time he went to the hole and measured his small body to see if he could go out of it or not.
The fox, on the other hand, kept on eating and eating like a greedy ogre until his belly inflated like a balloon!
Suddenly they heard the dogs barking!
“Oh, my God! The farmer is here.” Said the fox, frightened.
The hedgehog swiftly went out of the hole like a slug skating on an icy mountain, whereas the fox, poor fox, he got stuck. He could not get out this trouble.
He looked at the hedgehog and said:
“Oh, friend, please, help me!”
The hedgehog told him:
“Haven’t I advised you to eat and measure? By the way? What about ‘I am the cleverest fox in the forest?’” reminding him of his contemptuous arrogance.
“Just help me and I’ll never ever open my boastful mouth,” said the fox helplessly.
“OK, fox. I’ll help you this time. ‘Friends in need are friends indeed’ says mum. So just be quick; we don’t have lots of time. Follow my tips and you’ll get out of this trouble like a wisp of hair in dough. Go back to where we were eating, lie on your back with all your legs up and above all open your mouth wide open and let flies go in and out, in and out. When the farmer comes and sees you, he will think you’re dead, so he will take you by your tail and throws you out over the fence. It’s your chance then to stand on your feet and “sauve qui peut!” save who can, run as fast as you can.”
The fox did exactly what his friend told him. When the farmer saw him, he felt very angry.
“Oh, look at this silly fox! He ate and ate until his stomach burst like a balloon. Now he’s dead! Oh if he were alive! I would bite him, skin him. I would fry him like a steak.”
Not aware of the trick, the farmer took the fox by the tail and hoop, hoop, hoop; he threw him far away over the fence. Once in the air, flying like a birdie, the fox prepared himself ready to land on all four. No sooner had his feet touched the ground than he started running like a rabbit. He even forgot his ballooned belly.
The farmer, dazzled by what his eyes were seeing, got even more enraged, whereas our friends went far away, safe, happy, and their friendship got stronger and stronger. From that time on, the fox never dared say, “I am the cleverest fox in the forest.” But the hedgehog is.
The End