The Fox, the Hare, and the Rooster

A fox and a hare lived next door to each other. The hare built a warm wooden cottage, while the fox built a beautiful house of clear ice. In winter, both homes…

A fox and a hare lived next door to each other. The hare built a warm wooden cottage, while the fox built a beautiful house of clear ice. In winter, both homes gleamed in the sunshine. The neighbors visited each other, drank herbal tea, and admired the patterns on the icy walls. The hare simply advised the fox to plan ahead for spring, but she wanted to live in her sparkling home a little longer.

Spring arrived. The sun grew warmer, and the ice cottage slowly began to melt. First, water dripped from the roof. Then a small puddle appeared by the door. The fox moved her things to a dry place and realized that she could not stay inside. She was upset, but she did not hide her problem and went to ask her neighbor for help.

The fox politely knocked on the hare's door. “May I stay with you for a little while, until I build a new home?” she asked. The hare agreed, and they immediately worked out how to share the small space. The fox took the bench by the window, the hare kept the corner near the stove, and they arranged their things so that the walkway remained clear. Living in such a small space felt strange, but both treated each other with care.

That evening, a rooster came to the cottage carrying a lantern. He saw how cramped the neighbors were and suggested a fair plan. “No one should have to leave. Tomorrow, we will build a second wooden cottage for the fox together.” The rooster drew a simple plan with a stick, the hare remembered where the dry boards were stored, and the fox chose a safe spot nearby, but not too close to the stream that flowed in spring.

The next day, all three got to work. The hare carried the light boards, the fox gathered dry moss for the gaps, and the rooster used a blue ribbon to measure the pieces to the same length before setting its spool on the grass. To keep the housewarming flowers from being crushed, the fox slipped the finished wreath around her neck. By evening, two sturdy wooden cottages stood side by side. The fox thanked her friends and invited them to her housewarming celebration. From then on, the neighbors prepared ahead of time for the changing seasons. Whenever someone needed help, they first talked calmly and looked for a solution together.