Summer's flown away so quick,
Soon comes autumn, winter's trick.
The snake began to sit and think:
"I haven't got a coat, I shrink!
All the animals have fur so warm,
I've just skin—what a dreadful form!"
And she sighed upon the hill,
With her thoughts so dark and ill.
Past her went a lovely fox,
Wearing russet fur that locks.
After her the snake did hiss:
"Oh, how I wish that coat were mine, I miss!"
Wolf heard out her cry of pain
And he said: "Now don't be vain!
In a coat you couldn't swim—
You would tear yourself to the brim.
Coats we animals require,
Winter makes us all perspire.
Fur protects us in the freeze,
It's our shield against the breeze!
But you sleep throughout the year
In your burrow, warm and dear.
Fur you simply do not need,
Nor a hearty winter feed".
In this tale there is a clue:
"Envy's bad, my friend, it's true".
