A few days after their marriage Ivan said: “Madam, I am very hungry. Go on a little hunting trip and bring me home a fine dinner.” Away went the wife toward a deep hollow. She had not gone very far when she met her old friend the wolf.
“Good morning, my dear friend,” he began. “I have been looking in vain for you in the forest. Do tell me where you have been.”
Madam Fox replied coyly: “Oh, I am married, you know. My husband is the bailiff of the forest.”
“Indeed,” said the wolf. “How I should like to see his honor, your husband.”
“That can be managed if you will follow my advice closely. You see, my husband is very ferocious, and unless you do as I say he might devour you. However, I’ll see what can be done. Let me see. You had better get a lamb and place it on our doorstep. Then hide in the bushes which grow near. When my husband opens the door, you can get a very good look at him,” said Madam Fox, proudly.
The wolf ran away in search of a lamb, and Madam continued on her way. In a short time she met a bear. “Good day, my good friend,” he said. “I have missed you for some time. May I ask where you have been?”
“Oh,” said Madam, “is it possible you have not heard of my marriage with Ivan, the bailiff of the forest?”
“Is it true? Then I offer you my sincere congratulations! The bailiff of the forest, you say?” said the bear, in a puzzled tone. “Madam, it would give me the greatest pleasure to see his honor, your husband.”
“Yes,” said Madam, “that would be a great privilege, but I must tell you that the bailiff is very fierce. In fact, he is likely to devour anyone who does not please him. But perhaps I can help you out a little. Let me see. You had better procure an ox. And be sure to offer your gift very humbly. The wolf, who is also most anxious to see my husband, is going to bring a lamb for a present.”
Away went the bear in search of his gift, which he soon found; then he hurried clumsily along, and in a little while he met the wolf with a lamb.