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 Presently, while he was thinking, along came Brother Bear shuffling down the path with a load of nuts and honey.

"Good morning, Brother Bear," said Brother Fox. "I see you have a load of excellent food—excellent for you, I mean. My tribe never eats nuts or honey. But perhaps you would not mind adding a bit of tender meat to your load."

"Meat? No, indeed," replied Brother Bear. "But where am I to find it?"

"Why," said Brother Fox with his craftiest smile, "there are some young otters in this stream. I just saw them slip into the water. It seems to me that they would make very good eating for you and your family."

Brother Bear smacked his lips. "But how am I to get them?" he asked.

"I am no fisherman, as you well know," said Brother Fox, "but you are a famous fisherman. Why can you not fish for them?"

Brother Bear thought for a moment. "But I have no bait," he said.

"That is true," replied Brother Fox, "but I will tell you what to do. Just go out upon that log that lies near the shore and drop your fine