The fox outwitted (Scottish fairy tale)

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THE FOX OUTWITTED


ONE day the fox succeeded in catching a fine fat goose asleep by the side of a loch; he held her by the wing, and making a joke of her cackling, hissing, and fears, he said—


"Now, if you had me in your mouth as I have you, tell me what you would do?"


"Why," said the goose, "that is an easy question. I would fold my hands, shut my eyes, say a grace, and then eat you."


"Just what I mean to do," said Rory; and folding his hands, and looking very demure, he said a pious grace with his eyes shut.


But while he did this the goose had spread her wings, and she was now half way over the loch; so the fox was left to lick his lips for supper.


"I will make a rule of this," he said in disgust, "never in all my life to say a grace again till after I feel the meat warm in my belly."