In a wonderful forest, unknown to us, animals lived – they didn't grieve, they were friends with each other, helped one another, and never abandoned each other in times of 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 so lazy! Not only does she not help anyone – she's too lazy to even feed herself. She never tidies up her little house, just walks around the forest singing songs about how clever and beautiful she is.
But the forest animals have no time to sing: they're preparing firewood for winter, heating their stoves, repairing their little houses. Winter is coming soon.
And the beautiful fox has become completely lazy, her house is crooked, spiders have settled in the corners, mice have multiplied in the cellar. The cunning fox thought and thought, wrapped her leg with a scarf, sat by her house on the porch, and burst into bitter tears:
Oh, poor me, little fox! I was running down the path, fell into a hole, and broke my leg!
A wolf – gray-sided – runs past her house. He hears the fox crying, tears streaming down her face. He runs up and asks:
Hello, fox, beauty of the whole forest, why are you crying so, scaring all the forest animals?
Oh, wolf – gray-sided, I was running down the path, fell into a hole, 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 and said to the fox:
Don't cry, fox, give me the buckets, I'll bring you water, you'll have enough to drink and eat! 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 comes past her house, waddling from paw to paw. And the fox cries, tears streaming down her face. The bear approaches her and asks:
Hello, fox, beauty of the whole forest, why are you crying here, scaring the forest folk?
Oh, bear, how can I not cry? I was running down the path, fell into a hole, 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, so unfortunate!..
The bear scratched his ear and said to the fox:
Don't cry, fox! Give me the axe, I'll prepare firewood for winter, I won't let you perish!
The cunning fox waved her paw, showed where the axe was, and watched as the bear swung the axe, preparing firewood for her winter, while she rested.
A hare runs past her house, hopping and playing. And the fox bursts into bitter tears. The hare hops closer to the fox, waves his ears, and asks:
Hello, fox, beauty of the whole forest, why are you crying here, scaring the forest folk?
Oh, my cross-eyed one, my long-legged one! How can I not cry? I was running down the path, fell into a hole, and broke my leg! I can't sit or stand! I can't cook or clean anything! I'll have to starve to death. The house is a mess, and without food – it's impossible! Oh, poor me, so unfortunate!..
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 prepare food for you! I won't let you perish!
The cunning fox waved her paw toward her house, showed where to go, and watched as work bustled in her house: the bear swung his axe, chips flying everywhere, the wolf carried water, asking for the way, the hare waved his broom – tidying up, lit the stove, and now he'll prepare food.
And the fox became so happy that she took the scarf off her unbroken leg and started to dance! She shakes the scarf, waves her tail, squints with pleasure, thinking how cunning and clever she is, how she fooled everyone!
And then a magpie – white-sided – flew by, saw the fox, and called the animals: the wolf, the bear, and the hare. The animals dropped their axes and buckets, ran to the clearing, and there's the fox dancing away!
Ah, fox you fox! – the animals cried out, - 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 healed me!
But the animals waved their paws, offended by the beautiful fox, turned around and left her. So the fox was left with nothing, and she even hurt the forest animals' feelings.
And the magpie flies over her and chatters:
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!
