There was a time when the animals talked like people. Once near a farm, a rooster sat on a branch of a tall tree. The morning sun was bright, the air was warm and the countryside was quiet. The rooster felt so good, he began to sing. His song wasn’t beautiful, but it was loud. The rooster saw a fox; it was coming from the forest. The fox heard the rooster. He stopped and looked up at the fat rooster. The fox was feeling very hungry and wanted some breakfast as soon as possible. He thought the rooster would make a fine meal.
As we all know foxes are cunning, creatures, but they can’t climb up trees. He saw that he would have to trick the rooster to come down. He smiled up at the rooster. ‘How nice to see you!’ he said. ‘I’m looking for a friend. Why don’t you come down? We can have a nice friendly talk’. Now the rooster was no fool for this trickery. He knew exactly what the fox wanted. So he didn’t agree to come down. Instead, he said, ‘I know you won’t harm me. You just want to talk.
But what if the hungry wolf comes along? Or the lion? They might eat me up.’
I want to tell you something really great; said the fox. The rooster looked down. ‘What’s it?’ he asked.
‘It’s an exciting news! There was a big meeting of the animals. It was decided that all the animals and all the birds will be friends from now on.
They have agreed to live in peace. Mice can be friends with cats. Birds can be friends with foxes. Frogs can be friends with storks. No more eating each other! Peace has been made forever. So come down and let’s be friends.’
‘That’s wonderful news! said the rooster. And then his eyes grew wider as he looked off into the distance. He seemed very excited by what he saw, and he craned his neck as if to get a better look. ‘What is it that you are looking for?’ asked the fox. ‘What do you see’?
‘More friends are coming’ said the rooster. ‘What a fun! It’s a big pack of dogs, running very fast. They’ll be here any minute! Perhaps we can all have a party!
The fox’s smile disappeared for he had not imagined this turn of fortune. He took off on the run. ‘Help! cried the fox. ‘I must go’. ‘Don’t go fox’, said the rooster. Why are you leaving me?’ Have you forgotten that all the animals are friends now? The dogs want to talk to you.’
But the dogs may not know the wonderful news and the fox continued to run towards the distant hillside.
‘Fox come back! Let’s have peace with you’, said the rooster.
‘No! The dogs don’t want peace with me; they want a piece of me! Shouted the fox.