Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/84

68 The Fox thought he might just as well teach the stupid Crab a lesson, so, in a voice filled with contempt, he said: "When you ask me to race with you, even with any handicap you like, you show how little understanding you have. You have many legs and no sense, while I have four legs and am known to be the wisest inhabitant of the forest. Even human beings refer to me as the slyest of the sly."

But again the Crab offered to race with him if he would but allow him to hang a weight on his tail, so that it would stay down. The Fox laughed at him, saying that he was foolish to think that he could win a race between them under any conditions; but as the Crab repeated the offer, the Fox at last consented.

So the Crab said: "When I have secured it to your tail, I will say 'Ready!' and that will be the signal to start, then go as fast as you like."

With this the Crab went behind the Fox, and firmly gripped his tail with his pincers. Then he called out, "Ready!"

The Fox began to run; he ran until he