The Wedding of Mrs. Fox (Grimm)
Story titles are editorial.
Story 1. The old foxs test of fidelity
An old fox with nine tails suspected his wife of infidelity and devised a cunning test to discover the truth.
There was once on a time an old fox with nine tails, who believed that his wife was not faithful to him, and wished to try her. He stretched himself out under the bench, did not move a limb, and behaved as if he were stone dead.
When word spread that the old fox had died, Mrs. Fox retreated to her room in mourning.
Her faithful servant Miss Cat tended to the household duties and cooking.
Soon, suitors began arriving at the door. The first was a young fox who politely inquired about Mrs. Fox's condition. Miss Cat informed him that her mistress sat alone, weeping for her deceased husband. When the young fox expressed his desire to court the widow, Miss Cat went upstairs to relay the message. Mrs. Fox asked about the suitor's appearance, specifically whether he possessed nine beautiful tails like her late husband. Learning that he had only one tail, she rejected him immediately.
But has he nine as beautiful tails as the late Mr. Fox? Oh, no, answered the cat, he has only one. Then I will not have him.
Miss Cat dismissed the suitor and returned to her duties. More foxes arrived, each with progressively more tails than the previous one, but none satisfied Mrs. Fox's exacting standards. She turned away suitors with two tails, three tails, and so on, until finally a fox appeared who possessed nine magnificent tails, exactly like her late husband. Upon hearing this news, Mrs. Fox was overjoyed and declared that the wedding preparations should begin.
Now open the gates and doors all wide,
And carry old Mr. Fox outside.
However, just as the wedding ceremony was about to commence, Old Mr. Fox revealed his deception.
But just as the wedding was going to be solemnized, old Mr. Fox stirred under the bench, and cudgelled all the rabble, and drove them and Mrs. Fox out of the house.
Story 2. Mrs. Fox finds a new husband
After Old Mr. Fox truly died, various animals came to court Mrs. Fox. The first suitor was a wolf who greeted Miss Cat politely and inquired about Mrs. Fox's whereabouts. The cat explained that her mistress remained upstairs, mourning her husband's death. The wolf expressed his interest in marriage, but when Mrs. Fox asked about his appearance, she had specific requirements.
Has the gentleman red stockings on, and has he a pointed mouth? No, answered the cat. Then he won't do for me.
The wolf was dismissed, and subsequently came a parade of other forest animals - a dog, a stag, a hare, a bear, a lion, and all the beasts of the forest. Each suitor lacked some essential quality that Old Mr. Fox had possessed, and Miss Cat was forced to send them all away. Mrs. Fox remained particular about finding a husband who met her exact specifications. Finally, a young fox arrived who possessed both the red stockings and pointed mouth that Mrs. Fox required. When Miss Cat confirmed that this suitor met all her mistress's criteria, Mrs. Fox was delighted and ordered the wedding preparations to begin. She instructed her servant to clean the house thoroughly and prepare for the celebration, expressing her readiness to move on from her previous marriage.
Sweep me the room as clean as you can,
Up with the window, fling out my old man!
For many a fine fat mouse he brought,
Yet of his wife he never thought
The wedding ceremony proceeded successfully, and Mrs. Fox married the young fox who met all her requirements. The celebration was filled with joy, music, and dancing that continued long into the night.
Then the wedding was solemnized with young Mr. Fox, and there was much rejoicing and dancing; and if they have not left off, they are dancing still.