The Wolf and the Fox (Grimm)
Division into chapters is editorial.
The wolfs demands and the foxs cunning
In the forest lived a wolf and a fox, bound together in an unequal partnership. The wolf dominated their relationship through brute force and intimidation.
The wolf had the fox with him, and whatsoever the wolf wished, that the fox was compelled to do, for he was the weaker, and he would gladly have been rid of his master.
Whenever hunger struck, the wolf would threaten his companion with the same menacing words, demanding food or threatening to devour the fox himself.
The lamb theft: success and failure
One day, as they traveled through the forest, the wolf made his familiar demand for food. The fox cleverly suggested they visit a nearby farmyard where two young lambs grazed. This plan appealed to the wolf, and they set off together. The fox skillfully stole one of the small lambs and delivered it to his master before departing.
The wolf devoured the lamb but remained unsatisfied. His greed compelled him to return for the second lamb, but his clumsy approach alerted the mother sheep, who began bleating loudly in distress. The farmer came running to investigate the commotion.
The farmer and his helpers discovered the wolf and beat him mercilessly until he limped away, howling in pain. When the battered wolf found the fox, he accused him of misleading him, complaining that the country folk had beaten him severely. The fox responded with a simple question about the wolf's gluttony.
The pancake theft: greed leads to punishment
The next day, despite his injuries, the greedy wolf again demanded food from the fox. This time, the fox knew of a farmhouse where a woman was baking pancakes that evening. They went there, and the fox carefully slipped around the house, using his keen senses to locate the dish of freshly baked pancakes. He successfully retrieved six pancakes and brought them to the wolf.
The wolf swallowed the pancakes instantly, but they only increased his appetite. Ignoring the fox's cautious approach, he went directly to the house and tore down the entire dish, breaking it into pieces. The loud crash brought the woman outside, and when she saw the wolf, she called for help. The people came running and beat the wolf with sticks until he could barely walk, leaving him with two lame legs. Again, the fox questioned his gluttony.
Why art thou such a glutton?
The fatal feast in the cellar
On the third day, the wolf could only limp painfully, but his appetite remained unchanged. He made his usual threat to the fox, who this time suggested they visit a man who had been butchering animals. The salted meat was stored in a barrel in the cellar. Recognizing his weakened state, the wolf asked the fox to accompany him to help if he couldn't escape. The fox agreed and led him through secret paths to reach the cellar.
The cellar contained an abundance of meat, and the wolf immediately began feasting, thinking he had plenty of time. The fox also enjoyed the meat but remained vigilant, constantly checking their escape route to ensure his body stayed thin enough to slip through the hole. When the wolf questioned his restless behavior, the fox claimed he was watching for intruders and warned against overeating. The wolf declared he wouldn't leave until the barrel was empty.
The farmer heard the noise of the fox's movements and came to investigate. When the fox spotted him, he immediately bounded through the escape hole to safety.
The wolf wanted to follow him, but he had made himself so fat with eating that he could no longer get through, but stuck fast.