“Look! Look!” whispered the Bear. “An animal walking on two legs! Is this the creature we seek?”
“No,” answered the Fox, “but one of these days it will become a man-animal.”
Shortly afterwards there came along an old woman, all bent and wrinkled.
“Is that one?” asked the Bear.
“No,” said the Fox again, “but once upon a time that was the mother of one!”
At last there came the sound of brisk footsteps on the road, and peeping out between the bushes the Bear saw a tall soldier in a red coat marching towards them. He had a sword by his side and a musket over his shoulder.
“This must surely be the man-animal,” said the Bear. “Ugh! what an ugly creature! I don’t believe he is cunning in the least!” But the Fox made no answer, for at the first sight of the soldier he had fled into the forest.
“Well, well,” muttered the Bear, “I don’t see anything to be afraid of here. Let us have a talk with this wonder!” And hoisting himself clumsily out of the ditch he lumbered along the road to meet the soldier.
“Now then, my fine fellow,” he growled, “I have heard some wonderful stories about you. Tell me....”