The Fox

Yes, they were really dead, no doubt about it. So all that was left for him to do now was have a big feast until he could eat no more, and then rest for a while and feast once again. He could live like a king for days and he did not have to move a single finger to earn the food.

By Gisela Carolina Aguiriano
Once upon a time there lived a fox in the heart of a dense forest. He was too lazy for words and always tried to get hold of things killed by others. So he hid among the trees, keeping track of hunters who came to the forest. Most of the time they would leave the dead creatures in a heap and go to the river for a drink of water and a wash. The lazy fox waited for just a chance like this. While the hunters were away, he would cleverly make away with what he could carry -- a rabbit, a wild fowl or some other small creature. It would provide food for a few days while he spent his time sleeping and resting.

Things went on until a hunter named Herberth came to the forest chasing a big wild boar. The boar was strong and kept hiding among the trees. The hunter was equally determined to get him. So he followed the boar as he shot his arrows. At first, the arrows did not seem to hurt the boar. But finally he managed to hit a vital spot. The boar let out a wild scream and attacked Herberth the hunter. Herberth was not prepared for this and fell on the ground with a loud thump. The boar had injured him badly and the hunter was bleeding severely. After a little while, both Herberth and the big boar were dead.

The lazy fox had been watching the fight with great interest. When he saw both bodies lying dead he could not believe his luck. Was he really going to have all that food? "Well", thought the fox,"It would last me for weeks and even months!" But he was not sure that both the hunter and the board were dead, and so he decided to wait for a while to see if they would either groan or move. An injured boar or hunter would be far more dangerous than an ordinary one! An entire hour passed and there was no sound from either. Nor did they move even an inch. “Aha! So they are mine” said the fox as he danced with joy. The fox crept near the bodies and touched them. Yes, they were really dead, no doubt about it. So all that was left for him to do now was have a big feast until he could eat no more, and then rest for a while and feast once again. He could live like a king for days and he did not have to move a single finger to earn the food.

As the fox came near the boar, ready to take a big bite, his mouth watered. He had not tasted a boar for a long time and he really loved its taste. Just then his eyes fell on a strange fruit lying next to the dead boar’s body. It had fallen from the hands of the dead hunter. The fox looked at the fruit curiously. “I wonder how it tastes” he asked himself as he stared at it. “Can’t be too bad since it looks so tasty. I’d better eat it first before starting on my big feast.”

The fox tried to chew a small bite. At that same moment, his face made a strange gesture. “Doesn’t have much taste!" said the Fox. "But of course it would be a pity to waste it. Let me eat this first then, my real feast will last even longer.”

The fox tugged and pulled at the fruit until it was completely gutted. When he ate the entire fruit he realized that it was poisonous. He did not have enough time to vomit the fruit. In an instant, the fox was dead. ... That is what happens when one is too greedy. (2/26/10)

Note: The author is a 10th grade student at Brassavola Bilingual School in La Ceiba, Honduras. She wrote this piece for Mr. Cameron's English class.