A CAT once met a cunning fox in the woods. She thought: "everybody in the forest respects the fox for her wits and experience". So, she greeted her with very kind words: "Good morning, ms Fox. How do you fare? How do you make ends meet in these difficult times?"

Full of pride and arrogance, the fox examined the cat from tip to toe, and replied: "You're but a dumb cat. The only thing you know is how to set traps for mice, yet you dare ask me how I make ends meet? How much do you really understand of my clever tricks?"

"You're right. The only thing I know is how to catch mice, especially when it is the human that puts the cheese on the trap. There's something else I'm good at, however", answered the cat.

"What is it?", asked the fox.

"How to run away from dogs".

"Is that all? Well, I'm really sorry for you then, as this is nothing to take pride in. I know of a thousand tricks, and this does not impress me at all. Have a nice day", the fox told her.

Only a moment later, a hunter with four dogs passed by. As soon as the cat saw them, she climbed the trunk of a tree nearby and hid herself behind leaves and branches. The fox, on the other hand, ran as fast as she could, but as luck would have it, she stepped on a trap. As soon as her foot touched the trap, the grabber closed and caught it.

"Oh, my fair lady", the cat mocked her from above. "You know of a thousand tricks, and it is true that there is little I know that can impress you, but if you only knew how to climb trees and evade traps like me, you would be free now".