The Chief of the Rats said to the Wolf, "Wolf, why do you stand on
your hind legs?"

"Because I am lame," said the Tricky Wolf. "It hurts me to stand on my
front legs."

"And why do you keep your mouth open?" asked the Rat.

"I keep my mouth open so that I may drink in all the air I can," said
the Wolf. "I live on air; it is my only food day after day. I can not
run or walk, so I stay here. I try not to complain." When the Rats
went away the Wolf lay down.

The Chief of the Rats was sorry for the Wolf, and he went each night
and morning with all the other Rats to talk with the Wolf, who seemed
so poor, and who did not complain.

[Illustration]

Each time as the Rats were leaving, the Wolf caught and ate the last
one. Then he wiped his lips, and looked as if nothing had happened.

Each night there were fewer Rats at bedtime. Then they asked the Chief
of the Rats what the trouble was. He could not be sure, but he thought
the Wolf was to blame.

So the next day the Chief said to the other Rats, "You go first this
time and I will go last."