Long ago, in a quiet forest where moonlight slipped gently through the leaves, a clever fox and a calm little cat happened to meet. They sat beneath the tall trees and began to chat as the evening grew still.
The fox, proud as ever, could not help boasting. His tail flicked confidently as he spoke of his many tricks.
“I know countless ways to escape danger,” he said with a smug smile. “Why, I carry a whole sack full of clever plans! Each one is more brilliant than the last.”
The cat listened patiently, her eyes half-closed in the soft night air. When the fox finally paused, she replied in a gentle voice,
“I have only one trick. But it has served me well all my life.”
Just then, the peaceful forest was shaken by distant barking. The sound of hunting dogs echoed between the trees, growing louder with every heartbeat. The cat’s ears twitched. Without hesitation, she leapt gracefully onto the nearest tree and climbed high into its leafy arms, where she curled up safely among the branches.
Below, the fox panicked. He darted left, then right.
“Should I dig? Should I hide? Should I run?” he muttered. One trick came to mind, then another, then another—but he wasted precious moments choosing.
Before he could decide, the hounds burst from the shadows and surrounded him. The fox tried to escape, but it was too late. The dogs caught him, and soon the hunters arrived as well.
From her safe place in the tree, the cat watched quietly. When the forest grew silent again, she whispered to herself,
“It is better to trust one good plan than to lose time choosing between too many.”
And as the moon continued its slow journey across the sky, the forest seemed to agree.
Good night. 🌙✨
Enjoy another bedtime story: The Bremen Town Musicians