One dark night, a Fox was about to steal a farmer's hen-cage, and saw a Cock roosting high up beyond his reach. "Good news, good news!" he cried.
"Why, what is that?" said the Cock.
"King Lion has declared a universal peace. No beast may hurt a bird henceforth, but all shall live together in brotherly friendship."
"Why, that is good news," said the Cock; "and there I see some one coming, with whom we can share the good news." And so saying he stretched his neck forward and looked afar off.
"What is it you see?" said the Fox.
"It is only my master's Dog that is coming towards us. What, going so soon?" he continued, as the Fox began to turn away as soon as he had heard the news. "Will you not stop and congratulate the Dog on the reign of universal peace?"
"I would gladly do so," said the Fox, "but I fear he may not have heard of King Lion's law."
Moral: Cunning often outwits itself.