Everyone knows that the mere appearance of a fox strikes fear into geese, but why this is so is known to very few.
In a clearing in the forest, two geese got into a fight. Both from the same flock, both grabbed one sweet leaf. Two ganders came running to find out what had happened, and they immediately started fighting, each for the goose that he liked best.
And then the whole flock arrived in time, divided into two camps, and such a battle flared up, such a hubbub arose that all the animals in the forest were alarmed.
The fox also came with an investigation and said that it was not appropriate for brothers and sisters, relatives and cousins, aunts and uncles to enter into such a shameful dispute. It would be better if they go to a smart judge, tell him everything as it is and ask him to resolve their case peacefully.
To this the geese replied that they did not know a single judge. Then the fox modestly noted that people consider her a great expert on the law.
“That’s right, yes, we heard that all lawyers are very greedy,” said the geese. “You’ll probably demand too much from us.”
“Wouldn’t she be ashamed to take money from her best friends,” the fox answered them. She will happily judge them just like that, out of love for the geese.
And it was decided that the fox would sort this matter out. She demanded that the two instigators of the dispute go home with her and tell her the whole story. And they went with her, and she locked the door behind them so that no one could interfere with their conversation.
A little later the fox came out and said that the presence of two ganders was necessary, and they followed her.
After some time, the fox came out for two witnesses. Everyone wanted to be witnesses. But the fox chose the two biggest and fattest ones, since the witnesses should be representative, she said.
A little later she went out to get two more to act as defenders. And again, since she wanted to gather representative people, she chose the smoothest and fattest. This time, one modest gosling noticed that the fox itself looked fatter, rounder and bigger with each appearance. Well, yes, the fox explained, she simply swells from the testimony that she receives in the process of conducting the case.
After this, a little time passed, but neither the fox nor any of their brothers appeared, and the geese, as many of them were left from the flock, decided to enter the house and find out what was happening. They found the fox sleeping on a magnificent feather bed, but not a single goose nearby. They woke up the fox and asked where their brothers were. The fox looked around in amazement and exclaimed:
- Well, who would have thought that such deception, such treachery could be found in this corrupt world!
– What do you mean by this? - asked the geese.
“When I was completely exhausted from their arguments and false testimony and was forced, having given up on everything, to lie down for an hour and sleep, I asked if I could rely on them and ask them to watch over me while I slept. And they unanimously swore to me that I could. In my simplicity and naivety, I believed their word without hesitation, without doubt. Where have they gone now? O infidels! Oh, vile deceivers! Leave two with me,” she continued, “the biggest, fattest, most respected, so that I don’t feel so lonely, and I order the rest to go after these low traitors, capture them and bring them to me.” And until you find them and bring them here for a worthy punishment, do not dare show your face to me!
And from this day on, as soon as the geese meet, so will they go: ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha. The whole world hears them cackling, shouting to each other: “A-gu-si-where? A-gu-si-where? Still hoping to hear news about the word breakers.
In the old days they said:
There was only a preacher and a pastor there, but my wallet disappeared.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru