The Fox and the Woodcutter

A FOX, running before the hounds, came across a Woodcutter felling an oak and begged him to show him a safe hiding-place. The Woodcutter advised him to take shelter in his own hut, so the Fox crept in and hid himself in a corner. The huntsman soon came up with his hounds and inquired of the Woodcutter if he had seen the Fox. He declared that he had not seen him, and yet pointed, all the time he was speaking, to the hut where the Fox lay hidden. The huntsman took no notice of the signs, but believing his word, hastened forward in the chase. As soon as they were well away, the Fox departed without taking any notice of the Woodcutter: whereon he called to him and reproached him, saying, “You ungrateful fellow, you owe your life to me, and yet you leave me without a word of thanks.” The Fox replied, “Indeed, I should have thanked you fervently if your deeds had been as good as your words, and if your hands had not been traitors to your speech.”

(DeepL) A lone fox, running in front of the hounds, came upon a woodcutter who was felling oaks and asked him to show him a safe hiding place. The woodcutter recommended taking shelter in his hut, so the fox crept in and hid in a corner. Soon a hunter arrived with his hounds and asked the woodcutter if he had seen the fox. The woodcutter said he had not seen the fox, but kept pointing and talking to the hut where the fox was hiding. The hunter, oblivious to the sign, took him at his word and hurried in pursuit. The fox then left without looking at the woodcutter, so the woodcutter called the fox and accused him of being ungrateful, saying, "You ungrateful bastard, you owe me your life and yet you leave without a word of thanks. The fox replied. Indeed, had your deeds been as great as your words, and your hands not betrayed your words, I would have thanked you fervently."

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