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104 |
THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK. |
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are not a friend, but our wicked enemy the fox." And poor Whity began to whine and to whimper, and to wish that she had not been such a greedy little pig and had chosen a more solid material than cabbages for her house. But it was too late now, and in another minute the fox had eaten his way through the cabbage walls and had caught the trembling, shivering Whity and carried her off to his den.
The next day the fox started off for Blacky's house, because he had made up his mind that he would get the three little pigs together in his den, then kill them, and invite all his friends to a feast. But when he reached the brick house he found that the door was bolted and barred, so in his sly manner he began: "Do let me in, dear Blacky. I have brought you a present of some eggs that I picked up in a farm-yard on my way here."
"No, no, Mr. Fox," replied Blacky, "I am not going to open my door to you. I know your cunning ways. You have carried off poor Browny and Whity, but you are not going to get me."
At this the fox was so angry that he dashed with all his force against the wall and tried to knock it down. But it was too strong and well built; and though the fox scraped and tore at the bricks with his paws he only hurt himself, and at last he had to give it up and limp away with his fore paws all bleeding and sore.
"Nevermind!" he cried angrily as he went off. "I'll catch you another day, see if I don't; and won't I grind your bones to powder when I have got you in my den!" And he snarled fiercely and showed his teeth.
Next day Blacky had to go into the neighboring town to do some marketing and to buy a big kettle. As he was walking home with it slung over his shoulder he heard a sound of steps stealthily creeping after him. For a moment his heart stood still with fear, and then a happy thought came to him. He had just reached the top of a hill, and could see his own little house nestling at the foot of it among the trees. In a moment he had snatched the hd off the kettle and had jumped in himself. Coiling himself round he lay quite snug in the bottom of the kettle, while with his fore leg he managed to put the lid on, so that he was entirely hidden. With a little kick from the inside he started the kettle off, and down the hill it |
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