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THE HORSE AND THE WOLF
Once upon a time... a horse was gazing peacefully in a rolling green meadow.
A famished wolf passing by saw the horse and his mouth began to water.
"That's a fine horse! And will taste good too! He'd make a juicy steak!
Pity he's so big. I don't think I'd manage to bring him down, though you never
know..."
The wolf approached the horse, which continued to eat the grass. "...maybe,
if I take him by surprise."
Now quite close, the wolf spoke to the horse, trying to sound as pleasant as
he could.
"Good day, Mr. Horse, I see you're enjoying a meal. Is the grass good? I
must say you're looking rather pale. Aren't you well?"
His mouth fool of grass, the horse replied: "Pale? Oh, no, that's my natural
colour. I was born white and grey."
The wolf pretended not to understand what the horse had said. "Yes, indeed,
very pale. It's just as well your master has given you a holiday in the field,
instead of working."
"A holiday in the field? But I'm the picture of health!..."
The wolf was now circling round the horse, trying to find the best point to
attack.
"I'm a doctor," he went on. "I can treat you. If you tell me where the pain
is. I'm sure I can cure it. Take my advice. Let me examine you!"
The horse, who was not usually wary of others, became suspicious of the
wolf's persistent remarks, and thought he had better be on his guard. The wolf
was now very close and carefully biding his time, when the horse said, in
alarm: "Yes! Now that think of it, I have a sore hind foot. It's been swollen
for ages..."
Without a moment's thought, the wolf trotted up to the hoof which the horse
had obligingly raised into the air. And when he was certain that the wolf had
come within range, the horse gave a mighty kick, catching the wolf on the
jawbone and sending him flying.
"Would like to examine me again?" The wolf heard the words as he struggled
to his feet with spinning head.
"No thanks! That's enough for one day1" he mumbled, limping away, with no
further thought for horse steaks.