"Is it not time to pull out the fish?" said the bear.

"No, no," cried the fox.

"Wait until more fish have taken hold of your tail. You are very strong.
You can wait a little longer."

So the poor bear waited until it was almost morning.

[Illustration]

Just then some dogs began to bark on the bank of the river.

The bear was so afraid that he jumped up quickly and pulled with all his
might, but his tail was frozen fast in the ice.

He pulled and pulled until at length the tail was broken short off.

Mr. Fox ran away laughing and laughing at the trick he had played upon
Mr. Bear.

Bears' tails have been short ever since.

_German Folk Tale_




[Illustration]