In a little while the sun began to rise, and was at once caught in the snare.
The animals, who ruled the earth, were greatly excited because the morning did not come. They knew it was time for the sun to be up, so they called a council.
"What is to be done?" asked the bear.
"Some one must go and see what has happened," replied the wolf.
"Let the dormouse go," said the beaver, "as he is the largest of us all."
In those days the dormouse was very large. He looked like a mountain when he stood up.
"Yes," said the wolf, "let the dormouse go. He is proud of his size and his strength. Let him show us what he can do when there is danger before him."
They all looked around for the dormouse, but there was no sign of him.
"He thinks that we shall send him to find the sun," said the fox. "He is afraid and has hidden himself."
"Not so," returned the beaver. "The dormouse is not a coward. Let us call him. He cannot be far away."