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64 - The
Pleasant History of the Cock and the Fox
Shaharzaad
further said - "There lived a Shekh in a village. He had a long
standing and fair understanding. He had lots of animals, males and
females, on his farm. He had them for breeding and eating their eggs and
their chickens. Amongst his cocks there was an old cock of wit who had long
fought with his fortune and thus became wise in worldly matters. It so
happened one day that this old cock went to wander the farm land, picking
up something to eat on his way, such as grains of wheat, barley, sesame
etc. But as he was wandering carelessly, he left his place a lot behind
and came forward not thinking what he was doing. Suddenly he found himself
in the wilderness.
He
turned to his right, to his left, to his back but could not find anything
which was his friend or was familiar to him. He just stood there not
knowing what to do. He was just thinking that what he should do that he
saw a fox coming to him. He feared and trembled seeing him. He saw
a high wall beside him so he flew immediately and perched on it. His enemy
could not reach there.
Presently the fox came there at the foot of the wall, and found that he
could not climb it, he looked upward and said to the fowl - "Peace be with
you, You are a very good friend and brother." But the cock would not turn
to him, nor reply to him. The fox again said - "What is this brother that
you are not replying even to my greetings, nor you are talking to me?"
Still the cock did not reply. The fox again said - "Don't you remember
that once you counseled me intelligently? And you embraced
me and kissed me on my mouth?" Still the cock ignored him.
The
fox again spoke - "O my brother, The King of Beasts, that is Lion;
and the King of the Birds, which is the Eagle, have come from a journey to
the meadows where grass is growing, water is flowing and flowers are
blossoming. Animals in pairs and many kinds of birds are wandering here
and there. These two have established peace and security, honor and
sympathy there among all beasts and birds. And if somebody should injure
other, he will be punished to death. They have ordered everybody to eat at
one place and living in affection and intimacy. They have commissioned me
to roam around to proclaim that all must assemble together, and if
somebody will disobey, he will not escape punishment, so you can come down
safely and you need not to fear."
Even
after hearing all this, the cock did not pay any attention to him, as
though he had never heard this news. He just remained silent but he
continued to look far. Now the fox got impatient, in fact he wanted to
seize the cock, so he asked him - "Why are you not acknowledging me by
replying me, rather you are turning your face away from me who is the
messenger sent by the Lion and the Eagle. I fear for you, if you will
refuse to come with me, then all those animal and birds who are gathered
in the meadow will criticize you." When the cock did not reply even to this,
the fox said - "If you are not coming with me at least let me know
what is you reply."
Now
the cock said - "You are saying good to me, O brother. I regard you
as the commissioner from our King, but my condition is changed."
"And what is that?" "Do you see, what I am seeing
presently?" "And what is that?" "I see a dust cloud
lowering and the falcons towering in circles." Hearing this the fox
got frightened and said to him - "Be careful, lest there is any
mishap." The cock continued to look and said - "I can see a bird
flying." Fox said nervously - "See it carefully. Is it
greyhound?" "The Truth is known to Allaah alone, but I can see
his long legs and he is coming to us."
Now as
the fox heard this, he cried to cock - "I must leave you now."
And he ran away as fast as he could. Seeing him running away, the cock
cried away - "Why do you run when you have not harmed to
anyone?" The fox said - "I am afraid of greyhound for he is not
my friend and I am not familiar with him." The cock said -
"Didn't you tell me that as a Commissioner that the King has
proclaimed the peace amongst all the beasts and the birds?"
The
fox said - "O my brother, This greyhound was not present at that
time when this proclamation was made, nor was his name announced in the
Congress of the Beasts." And so saying the fox ran away flying and
the cock escaped the foe. Then the cock came down from the wall and went
back to his farm thanking Allaah who conveyed him unharmed to his own
place."
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