The little boy wandered back to his grandmother’s room.
“Grandmamma,” he said, “mother says I must have patience; but I don’t know how. We are not going to start on the journey for two whole days.”
“Perhaps I can help you,” said the grandmother. “If I were to tell you a story now?”
“Oh, yes, that would help, little grandma!” cried the little boy. “I can be very patient when you tell me stories.”
“This one,” said the grandmother, “is about
“THE FOX AND THE BADGER”
A Fox and a Badger met in the mountains and made an alliance, agreeing that whichever of them found anything good to eat should share it with the other, like a brother.
Now the Master knew where there was a trap set and baited with a great piece of meat. He therefore led the Badger there and showed him the meat.
“See, dear nephew,” said he, “how your clever uncle has led you to a place where we can both have a grand feast. But you are more limber than I, so just slip gently in and pull out the meat, while I keep watch that the moujik who put it here does not suddenly catch us napping.”