Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 23, 1912.djvu/243

Rh One day, contrary to his custom, he shot two birds. Upon his return he saw a fox sitting near the spot which he called his home. The fox ran to meet him, and, taking the birds from him, proceeded to dress them and prepare them for supper, when he set one before the Prince and ate the other himself.

The next morning the Prince went hunting again, and this time he returned with three birds. "I may expect another guest to-night," said he to himself. And so it proved, for soon he descried a great bear seated beside the fox. The fox ran forward and, taking the game, prepared it and presented one portion to the bear.

The following day the Prince brought down four birds, and on his return what should he see but a wolf seated beside the bear! The fox came to meet him, took the game, prepared it, and divided it amongst them.

The next day he shot five birds. He returned to find an enormous lion seated in state beside the other animals. The fox performed his tasks as before.

Another day dawned, and the Prince went hunting again. This time he took six birds, and returned to find a leopard added to the family.

On the sixth day, having shot seven birds, he saw upon his return, a great bird, one of whose wings would reach to Bagdad and the other to Bassorah. It was the bird called the Emerald Roc. The fox ran to meet the Prince like a model servant. He politely unburdened him of the game, and, after preparing it, he first served the hunter, and then divided the remainder among his fellow-creatures.

Fear and astonishment seized the Prince. He was in terror lest the fury of the beasts should be let loose, yet he marvelled at their docile behaviour. But what can he do? Here was a remarkable community, family, friends, and companions. The Prince continued to live under these conditions somewhat fearfully, but day by day feeling more secure.

Near their dwelling-place stood the lightning-riven stump of a great oak, which we will designate the Throne of the Fox, and the green-sward around it constituted the Council-Chamber of the Beasts.