“Now, you brute!” he said, “I’ve got you and I’m going to kill you!”
“Oh, master, don’t do that!” the Bear implored. “Don’t kill me!”
“Why shouldn’t I kill you?” the Farmer asked. “Aren’t you destroying my rye?”
“Let me off this time!” Osmo begged, “and I’ll reward you! I swear I will!”
He begged and begged until at last he prevailed upon the Farmer to open the net and let him out.
“Now then,” the Farmer said as soon as the Bear was freed, “how are you going to reward me?”
Osmo put a heavy paw on the Farmer’s shoulder.
“This is how I’m going to reward you,” he said: “I’m going to eat you up!”
“What!” the Farmer exclaimed, “is that your idea of a reward for kindness?”
“Exactly!” Osmo declared. “In this world that is the reward kindness always gets! Ask any one!”