the sheep-fold was the first place he visited. To his horror, the
sheep were all stretched out dead before him, except one, which
the wolf had eaten, bones and all. Instantly the truth flashed
upon him. It was no ram that lay curled up in the corner
pretending to be asleep (for in reality he could bend back and
turn his head as much as he liked), but a wolf who was watching
him out of the corner of his eye, and might spring upon him at
any moment. So the farmer took no notice, and only thought that
here was a fine chance of revenging himself on his next brother
for a trick which he had played, and merely told him that the ram
would not eat the grass in that field, and it might be well to
drive him to the pasture by the river, where his own flock was
feeding. The second brother eagerly swallowed the bait, and that
evening the wolf was driven down to the field where the young man
kept the sheep which had been left him by his father. By the next
morning they also were all dead, but the second brother likewise
held his peace, and allowed the sheep which belonged to the
youngest to share the fate of the other two. Then they met and
confessed to each other their disasters, and resolved to take the
animal as fast as possible back to Toueno-Boueno, who should get
a sound thrashing.

Antoine was sitting on a plum tree belonging to a neighbour,
eating the ripe fruit, when he saw the three young farmers coming
towards him. Swinging himself down, he flew home to the hut,
crying breathlessly, 'Mother, mother, the farmers are close by
with the wolf. They have found out all about it, and will
certainly kill me, and perhaps you too. But if you do as I tell
you, I may be able to save us both. Lie down on the floor, and
pretend to be dead, and be sure not to speak, whatever happens.