The Cat, the Rooster and the Fox

A cat, a ram and a rooster lived in a little house in the forest. The cat and the ram often went out to gather strips of inner bark and dry twigs for baskets,…

A cat, a ram and a rooster lived in a little house in the forest. The cat and the ram often went out to gather strips of inner bark and dry twigs for baskets, while the rooster stayed to tend the hearth. Before leaving, his friends asked him not to go far with unfamiliar visitors and always to say where he was going. The rooster promised to be careful.

One day a fox appeared beneath the window and sang about golden apples and merry sleigh rides. The rooster became so absorbed in the song that he stepped onto the porch and followed her, without noticing the house disappear behind the trees. When he grew worried, he called loudly for his friends. The cat and the ram heard the familiar voice, caught up with the travellers and returned home with the rooster.

A few days later, the fox came singing again while the cat and the ram were working in a distant clearing. She invited the rooster to perform for her family, but did not explain how far away her house was. The rooster agreed, only realizing on the way that he would miss the supper he had promised to be home for. His hosts were friendly, but he missed his friends very much.

Returning to an empty house, the cat and the ram found a rooster feather and fox tracks on the path. They made a small gusli, a stringed instrument, went to the fox's house and played beneath the window. The fox and her cubs came out to listen, and the rooster saw his friends and happily joined the song. After the performance, everyone sat down to talk.

The fox apologized for taking the rooster so far without warning him and his friends. The rooster promised to tell them about every journey from then on, and the cat and the ram suggested arranging concerts by an invitation agreed on together. The fox family served their guests berry tea, and that evening the three friends returned safely home. From then on, music brought the neighbours together, while clear agreements helped everyone feel at ease.