Prevod

Once upon a time there was an old fox with nine tails who believed his wife was unfaithful to him, and wanted to put her to the test. He stretched himself out beneath the bench, did not stir a limb, and pretended to be stone dead. Mrs. Fox went up to her chamber and locked herself in, while her maid, Miss Cat, sat by the hearth and cooked. When word spread that the old fox had died, suitors began to appear. The maid heard someone standing at the front door, knocking. She went to open it, and there stood a young fox, who said, 'What are you doing, Miss Cat, I pray?

Are you asleep or awake today?' She answered, 'I am not asleep, I am awake. Would you like to know what I make? I am warming some beer and stirring butter in:

Would you care to be my guest, sir?' 'No, thank you, miss,' said the fox. 'How is Mrs. Fox?' The maid answered, 'She sits in her chamber, lamenting her plight, weeping her little eyes red as she might, for old Mr. Fox is dead.'

'Do tell her, miss, that a young fox is here who would gladly marry her.' 'Very well, young sir.' Then up went the cat, trip-trap, trip-trap, and the door went click-clack, click-clack.

'Mrs. Fox, are you there?' 'Oh yes, my little cat, yes.' 'There is a suitor outside.' 'My child, what does he look like? Has he nine fine bushy tails like the late Mr. Fox?' 'Oh no,' answered the cat, 'he has only one.' 'Then I will not have him.'

Miss Cat went downstairs and sent the suitor away. Soon there was another knock, and another fox stood at the door, wishing to marry Mrs. Fox. He had two tails, but he fared no better than the first. Others followed, each with one tail more than the last, and all were turned away, until at last one came who had nine tails like old Mr. Fox. When the widow heard this, she said joyfully to the cat, 'Now open every gate and door, and sweep old Mr. Fox out on the floor.'

But just as the wedding was about to be celebrated, old Mr. Fox stirred beneath the bench, gave the whole rabble a sound thrashing, and drove them out of the house along with Mrs. Fox.

SECOND TALE When old Mr. Fox had died, the wolf came as a suitor and knocked at the door. The cat, who served as Mrs. Fox's maid, opened it. The wolf greeted her and said, 'Good day, Mrs. Cat von Kehrewitz, why is it all alone you sit?

What tasty dish are you making there?' The cat answered, 'I am breaking bread rolls into milk: would you care to be my guest, sir?' 'No, thank you, Mrs. Cat,' answered the wolf. 'Is Mrs. Fox not at home?'

The cat said, 'She sits in her chamber upstairs, weeping over her cares, weeping in sorrow and dread, for old Mr. Fox is dead.' The wolf answered, 'If she would have another man, let her come down as fast as she can.'

The cat ran up the stair, her little tail waving in the air, until she reached the long hall, where she knocked with her five golden rings.

'Mrs. Fox, are you within? If you would have another man, come downstairs as fast as you can.' Mrs. Fox asked, 'Has the gentleman little red breeches on, and has he a pointed snout?' 'No,' answered the cat. 'Then he will not do for me.'

After the wolf had been turned away, there came a dog, a stag, a hare, a bear, a lion, and, one after another, all the beasts of the forest. But each lacked one of the fine qualities old Mr. Fox had possessed, and every time the cat had to send the suitor away. At last a young fox arrived. Mrs. Fox asked, 'Has the gentleman little red breeches on, and has he a pointed snout?' 'Yes,' said the cat, 'he has.' 'Then let him come upstairs,' said Mrs. Fox, and told the maid to prepare the wedding feast.

'Cat, sweep out the room, and throw the old fox out of the window. Many a fat, plump mouse he brought, but ate them all himself, and gave me naught.'

Then the wedding with young Mr. Fox was celebrated, and there was rejoicing and dancing, and if they have not stopped, they are dancing still.