In a wonderful forest, unknown to us, the animals lived – they didn't grieve, they were friends with one another, they helped each other, they didn't abandon each other in trouble. Whatever happened – everyone was right there, running to help each other.
But there lived in that wonderful forest a fox: with a beautiful face, a tail no worse than a peacock's, but oh, such a long tongue – she could spin as much truth and lies as she wanted! She lies and doesn't blush, only her reddish fur gets redder. And she was so lazy! Not only to help someone – she couldn't even be bothered to feed herself. She never tidied up her little house, she walks about the forest singing songs, boasting about how clever and beautiful she is.
But the animals in the wonderful forest had no time to sing: they were preparing firewood for winter, stoking the stoves, repairing their little houses. Winter was coming soon.
And the beautiful fox had become completely lazy, her little house had tilted to one side, spiders had settled in the corners, mice had multiplied in the cellar. The cunning fox thought and thought, tied a scarf round her leg, sat by her little house on the bench, and burst into bitter tears:
Oh, poor little me! I was running along the path, fell into a pit, and broke my leg!
A little wolf – grey-sided – was running past her house. He heard the fox crying, bursting into bitter tears. He ran up and asked:
Hello, fox, the beauty of the whole forest, why are you crying so, frightening all the forest animals?
Oh, little wolf – grey-sided, I was running along the path, fell into a pit, and broke my leg! My throat is parched, I want to drink, but there's no one to bring me water. I'll die from the heat!
The wolf scratched behind his ear with his paw and said to the fox:
Don't cry, fox, give me the buckets, I'll bring you water, there'll be enough to eat and drink! I'll help you!
The cunning fox waved her paw, showed the wolf where to get the buckets, and then watched as the wolf carried water from the well, while she rested.
A bear was walking past her house, shifting from paw to paw. And the fox was crying, bursting into bitter tears. The bear came up to her and asked:
Hello, fox, the beauty of the whole forest, why are you crying here, frightening all the forest folk?
Oh, bear, how can I not cry? I was running along the path, fell into a pit, and broke my leg! Winter will soon begin, I'll freeze to death! I can't chop wood, I can't heat the stove! Oh, poor me, unhappy me!..
The bear scratched his ear with his paw and said to the fox:
Don't cry, fox! Give me the axe, I'll chop firewood for winter, I won't let you perish!
The cunning fox waved her paw, showed where the axe was, and then watched as the bear swung the axe, chopping firewood for her for winter, while she rested.
A hare was running past her house, hopping and playing. And the fox was bursting into bitter tears. The hare hopped closer to the fox, waved his ears and asked:
Hello, fox, the beauty of the whole forest, why are you crying here, frightening all the forest folk?
Oh, my cross-eyed one, my long-legged one! How can I not cry? I was running along the path, fell into a pit, and broke my leg! I can't sit or stand! I can't cook or tidy anything! I'll have to starve to death. The house is a mess, and without food – it's impossible! Oh, poor unhappy me!..
The hare waved his ears and said to the fox:
Don't cry, fox! Give me a pot and a broom! I'll tidy up right now and cook you some food! I won't let you perish!
The cunning fox waved her paw towards her little house, showed where to go, and then watched as work bustled about in her house: the bear swung his axe, chips flew everywhere, the wolf carried water, asking for the way, the hare waved his broom – tidying up, lit the stove, and was about to cook some food.
And the fox became so happy that she took the scarf off her unbroken leg and started to dance! She shook the scarf, waved her tail, squinted with pleasure, thinking how cunning she was, how clever, she'd deceived everyone!
And then a magpie – white-sided – flew past, saw the fox and called the animals: the wolf, the bear and the hare. The animals threw down their axes and buckets, ran to the clearing, and there was the fox dancing away!
Ah, fox you fox! – cried the animals, - Cunning face! And we believed you, we wanted to help!
The fox saw the animals, tucked in her leg, fell to her knees, and started to wail:
Oh, my forest friends! It was your help that cured me!
But the animals waved their paws, were offended with the beautiful fox, turned round and left her. So the fox was left with nothing, and she'd also offended the forest animals.
And the magpie flew over her and chattered:
It's not the one who looks good that's good, but the one who's good for work! Serves you right, fox! You're left alone! Now you'll know not to deceive your friends!
