“I didn’t kill that sheep. I found it dead,” said the fox, for he did not want the bear to know how treacherous he was.
“Well, we will share what is left,” said the bear; and of course the fox did not dare to refuse him. He was a pretty big bear, and looked rather fierce and very hungry.
No bear has any business to be wandering about the forest in winter. He should have been snugly sleeping in his den until summer time like any self-respecting bear does, except a polar bear, who stays out all night.
They filled themselves up on sheep meat, and then walked away through the woods together like old friends.
“Fox,” said the bear, “are you ever afraid of animals?”
“There is not an animal in the world I am afraid of,” said the fox, “except that two-legged creature called Man. Of him I am in constant terror.”
The bear laughed at him. “You are silly to be afraid of that. I am not afraid of a man; only of ptarmigan.”
Then it was the fox’s turn to laugh. “Why, I kill ptarmigan and eat them!”
The bear did not like to be laughed at much by a fox, so he walked quietly along for a while, thinking; then he said, “Well, Fox, I will make a bargain with you. If you will kill two ptarmigan for me, I will kill two men, and give you one.”
The fox looked pleased. “That is easy,” said he. “You wait here.” And off he went trotting out of sight.