“I don’t know so much about that,” answered Reynard, “but I have a certain fondness for you, cousin, so come along with me and I will show you the place where I caught the fish.”
Nothing loath, the bear followed, and presently they came to the hole in the ice.
“Do you see that hole, cousin?” said Reynard. “That is where the fish come up to breathe. All you have to do is to sit on the ice and let your tail hang down into the water. After a time the fish will come to bite at it, but don’t you move. Sit quite still until the evening; then you will find a score of fishes on your tail and you can pull them out all together.”
Mrs. Bruin was delighted with the plan and immediately sat down and dipped her tail into the water.
“ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO SIT ON THE ICE”
“That’s the way,” said Reynard. “Now I’ll just be walking home to see to my dinner, but I’ll be back presently. Be careful to keep quite still, or you’ll spoil everything!”
So for the next three hours Mrs. Bruin sat on the ice with her tail in the water, and very cold it was, but she consoled herself with the thought of the delicious meal she would have when the fish were landed.
Late in the afternoon Reynard returned. “Well, cousin,” said he, “how do you feel?”