"This year I have the gain," said Reynard, "next year it will be your
turn. Then you shall have the top, and I shall have to put up with the
root."

But when spring came, and it was time to sow, Reynard asked Bruin what
he thought of turnips.

"Aye, aye!" said Bruin, "that's better food than rye," and so Reynard
thought also. But when harvest time came Reynard got the roots, while
Bruin got the turnip-tops. And then Bruin was so angry with Reynard
that he put an end at once to his partnership with him.




BOOTS AND HIS BROTHERS


Once on a time there was a man who had three sons, Peter, Paul and
Espen. Espen was Boots, of course, because he was the youngest. I can't
say the man had anything except these three sons, for he did not possess
one penny to rub against another; and so he told his sons over and over
again they must go out into the world to seek their fortune, for at home
there was nothing to be expected but to starve to death.

Now, a short way from the man's cottage was the King's palace, and you
must know, just against the King's windows a great oak had sprung up,
which was so stout and big that it took away all the light from the
king's palace. The King had said he would give much gold to any man who
could fell the oak, but no one was man enough to do it, for as soon as