“There was once an old fox with nine tails, who wished to put his wife’s affection to proof.”

“There was once a sweet little maid, much beloved by everybody, but most of all by her grandmother, who never knew how to make enough of her. Once she sent her a little riding hood of red velvet, and as it was very becoming to her, and she never wore anything else, people called her Little Red Riding Hood.”

“The she-wolf brought forth a young one, and invited the fox to be godfather. ‘After all, he is a near relative of ours,’ said she, ‘he has a good understanding, and much talent; he can instruct my little son, and help him forward in the world.'”

“A Fox was one day talking to a Wolf about the strength of man. ‘No animals,’ he said, ‘could withstand Man, and they were obliged to use cunning to hold their own against him.’ The Wolf answered, ‘If ever I happen to see a Man, I should attack him all the same.’ ‘Well, I can help you to that,’ said the Fox. ‘Come to me early tomorrow, and I will show you one!'”

“A wolf and a fox once lived together. The fox, who was the weaker of the two, had to do all the hard work, which made him anxious to leave his companion.” I am unaware of any evidence pointing to this tale as the origin for the term “sly fox,” but it is certainly a perfect exemplification of that epithet.

“There was once on a time an old goat who had seven little kids, and loved them with all the love of a mother for her children.” A couple of surprises can be found in this tale, some more horrific than others.