“My dear, that miserable Fox has been fooling you! Why, he can’t cut down this tree or any other tree for that matter! He hasn’t even got an ax! Don’t let him impose on you a third time!”
So the very next day when the Fox came and again tried the same little trick, Harakka, the Magpie, tossed her head scornfully and said:
“Go along, you rascal! You can’t fool me again! How can you cut down this tree or any other for that matter when you haven’t even got an ax!”
The Fox was furious at being cheated of his dinner.
“You didn’t think that out yourself, Harakka!” he said. “Some one’s been talking to you! Who was it?”
“It was my dear friend, Varis,” the Magpie said. “She’s on to your tricks!”
“I’ll teach that Crow to interfere with my affairs!” the Fox muttered to himself as he trotted off.
He went to an open field and lay down with his mouth open, pretending to be dead.
“I’m sure Varis will soon spy me!” he said to himself.
He was right. Presently the Crow began circling above him. She flew nearer and nearer and at last alighted on his head. His tongue was lolling out and Varis decided to have her first bite there. She gave it a sharp peck at which the Fox jumped up and caught her in his paws.