Fable
The Fox Without a Tail
A Fox that had been caught in a trap,
succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away. But he had to
leave his beautiful bushy tail behind him.
For
a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that
they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back. But
it was hard for him to live alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would
perhaps help him out of his trouble.
He
called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had something of great
importance to tell the tribe.
When
they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a Tail got up and made a long
speech about those Foxes who had come to harm because of their tails.
This
one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge.
That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the weight of his
brush. Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for
their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With such proof of the
danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would advise every
Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety.
When
he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling:
"Master
Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your answer."
When
the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of jeers
and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to persuade the
Foxes to part with their tails.
Moral
- Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you
to his own level.
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