Chapter XIII 



EYNARD the fox is a wise 

 beast and cunning — still 

 there is reasonable doubt as 

 to some stories told of him. 

 As, for example, how he rids 

 himself of fleas. Tradition 

 avouches that he goes about 

 thorny pastures where sheep have been rob- 

 bed by thorns of wool, gathers the locks one 

 after another until his mouth is full, then 

 seeks out a still pool, and backs gradually into 

 it, until he is in water, all but his eyes, nose, 

 and mouth. Now since fleas, it is well known, 

 cannot abide water, they run before it, and 

 take refuge in the wool. When the last one 

 is safe there, Reynard the fox leaps ashore, 

 frolicly spits the wool back into the water, 

 and gallops away, flealess and happy. 



Most likely the tradition is apocryphal. 

 But when it comes to luring foolish birds 

 within reach, Reynard certainly does things 



