Fox's Tutelage

Will A. Sanborn

3/21 - 4/7/01

Revised 4/24 - 4/25/01

It was sunny and warm that morning when the Greek boy started out on his adventures. He'd awoke to a beautiful day, full of possibilities, which he faced with eager anticipation. He didn't have any obligations until the lunchtime meeting with his teacher, to be followed by lessons in the afternoon, so he made good use of his free time. Leaving the house right after breakfast, he made his way quickly to the edge of the city. Reaching one of the gates, he exited with a bounce in his step. Trading the familiar surroundings of the stone columns of the buildings with that of the countryside, he ventured out into the wilderness for some exploring.

He ran for a short distance, leaving the city behind him as he rushed out into the open landscape, then settled back into a comfortable pace. Roaming along, he began to explore the countryside, not needing any specific goal or destination. He started singing to himself, making the words up as he went along. Later he entertained himself with a stick he came across. Picking it up, he used it as a sword, dashing around, imitating the heroes from the stories he'd been told, as he battled and vanquished invisible foes. He journeyed on like that for some time, free to go wherever his fancies led him.

It had already been warm when he'd started, and now as the sun rose higher in the sky, it was getting steadily hotter. As he walked along, he began to notice the growing heat of the day. By the time he came upon the well, the heat was threatening to be oppressive. Feeling hot and a little tired, it definitely seemed like a good place to stop for a rest. The sight of the well also made him realize how thirsty he was, the dryness in his mouth suddenly becoming quite noticeable. He was lucky to have come upon the well out there in the wilderness, he could certainly use a drink.

Walking over to the well, he licked his lips in anticipation. Looking around though, he couldn't find the bucket, which should've been laying beside it. Feeling a tinge of disappointment, but still hopeful, he leaned against the well and bent down to look inside. Perhaps the bucket was hanging there, then he could fetch some water to quench his thirst. There was no bucket to be found there either, but instead a pair of eyes looking up at him from the shadowy depths. Startled, the boy jumped backwards; regaining his composure, he then slowly moved back to get a second look. Letting his eyes adjust to the darker surroundings of the well's interior, he made out the image of a fox staring up at him as it stood in the water below.

A few moments passed as he puzzled over finding the animal in such a strange location. The fox gazed back up at him, regarding him, looking him straight in the eye. The animal then opened its mouth, and spoke to him as clear as anything. "Why hello there, young man" the fox's polite greeting began, "I wasn't expecting to see anyone else out here today, but it's nice to meet you."

While the youth struggled to find his voice, the fox paused, giving him a chance to reply. When no answer came, the fox added "I hope I didn't startle you." The animal's voice was quiet and friendly, as he casually addressed the boy.

"Um, no," he stammered, finally able to speak, his voice incredulous as he stared down at the fox. "It's just that I wasn't expecting... you." His words trailed off as he pondered the situation.

"Ah, I see. I gather you've never had a conversation with any of us animals before now have you?"

"No, I definitely haven't." His voice was a little hushed as he added, "I didn't think such a thing was possible."

The fox barked a quick little laugh at that, opening his mouth in a grin, his tongue darting over his teeth momentarily. He noticed the boy's reaction to his exposed teeth and just as quickly closed his mouth. "But tell me, did you ever think of talking to one of us?"

"No, I guess I didn't" the lad had to admit. The thought had never even crossed his mind before, but as he stood there carrying on a conversation with what would normally be considered a wild animal, the idea of it was slowly becoming more reasonable. This fox certainly wasn't acting the way he would've expected it to.

"Well, I suppose that's understandable," the fox replied, his voice becoming even warmer. "Not a lot of people think of trying to engage us in conversation, but you'll find that many of us are willing to talk, given the chance." The boy was starting to look more comfortable with this stranger, and the fox added slyly, "you looked like a bright lad, so I figured it'd be worth making conversation with you."

The boy smiled at that. "Thank you," he replied, blushing slightly "my teacher says that sometimes too." Pausing briefly, he then added, "I can't wait to tell him about this, it really is exciting getting to meet you."

"It's my pleasure as well. I'm sure you'll have an interesting story to tell him," the fox replied, with another small smile. He was sure not to show his teeth as much that time though.

"Ah, but where are my manners," the fox continued. "You obviously must have come here in search of a drink of water, walking around out in the hot sun, and here I am talking you ears off...."

"Well yes, I am pretty thirsty," he agreed, nodding, and smiling back at the fox.

"Well be my guest and help yourself, there's plenty to go around, and I'd certainly like to share it with my new friend. It's quite good too."

"But there's no bucket, is there?" the youth asked as he searched the well and its surroundings again with a quick glance. "How can I get a drink without one?"

"Oh, that's not a problem at all," the fox answered with another smile. "Come down here and join me, it's easy to get a nice drink that way." As he said it, he playfully flicked one of his ears.

"Down there in the well? I don't know." The boy's voice betrayed his doubts.

"Sure, there's nothing to it. It's not too big of a jump and there's enough room down here for both of us."

"Well, it is pretty hot out...." As the boy mused out loud he could feel his thirst growing even stronger. The heat of sun overhead made the shade of the well seem even more inviting.

"Sure, it's nice and cool down here too, and the water's great."

The fox's voice was so friendly and reassuring, and a nice drink of water sounded so good right then. The last of his resignations evaporating, his escape from the sun, to the cool water below, beckoned. Hoisting himself up on the top of the well with his hands, he swung his feet over the stones, readying for his descent. Pausing briefly to look down and judge his landing, he let out an enthusiastic "look out below!" and pushed himself off the wall. He never noticed the grin which flashed quickly across the fox's muzzle.

The fox had been right that it wasn't really that far down, and the muddy ground at the bottom of the well was nice and soft. His feet sank in slightly, and his sandals got stuck in the mud, but just briefly. Taking a few moments to steady himself, he was able to free them, lifting his feet up one at a time. Although the water only came up to below his knees, the bottom of his tunic had gotten wet from the splash of his landing. He didn't care, though; he welcomed the added coolness.

He turned to see the fox looking on as he adjusted to the new surroundings. As the animal watched him, there was another smile across his face. The fox let his new acquaintance get settled in before interrupting him. "There, now isn't it nice and cool down here, just like I told you?"

"Oh, yes it is," he replied, a smile showing on his face as well. The water felt good against his legs and he was enjoying the cool refuge from the hot sun, which his new friend had shown him.

"Well, go right ahead and get a drink, then. The water tastes wonderful."

"Thank you," the boy answered, remembering his manners, then proceeded to bend over. Kneeling down, unmindful of his clothes getting even wetter, he leaned over to scoop a handful of the cool water. Bringing it to his lips, it tasted even better than he'd imagined. He quickly sucked it down with a loud slurp, then reached for more water.

His enjoyment was short lived however, for no sooner had he brought the second handful of water to his lips, then he heard splashing behind him. Before he could even turn around, the fox was on him. He coughed and spit out the water in surprise as he felt the animal's claws scraping against him. He tried to get up, and to shake the animal off him, but the fox just moved quicker. He cried out as the fox's claws dug into his back through the fabric of his clothes, as the beast fought his way up his back.

Jumping up, he flailed his arms about helplessly, trying to push the animal away from him. He just couldn't reach behind him, and the fox stayed on, quickly climbing higher. Fearing the worst, the boy cried out again.

The attack didn't come though. Instead, the swift fox scrambled his way up the youth's back and onto his shoulders, holding on against the boy's frantic shaking. Quick as lightening the fox sprang up, clawing at the stones lining the wall. Pushing off the boy's shoulders, he jumped up to reach the top of the well. Landing nimbly atop it, the fox turned to pause and look back down.

The boy just stood there, gaping up at the fox as he regarded him. His mouth hung open, realizing what the fox had done, but no words escaped him. Finally, it was the fox once again who broke the silence. "Well now my friend, I must thank you," he spoke with a wink and a happy flick of one of his ears. "I'd been trapped down that well for some time and I didn't think I'd find a way out very easily. Then you showed up and helped me out quite nicely."

"But, you tricked me," the youth stammered, finding his voice once again. "That wasn't very nice."

"Maybe so, but the water is nice and cool down there, and it is enjoyable as long as you can get out. I imagine you'll have an easier time of it than I would, with those arms and legs of yours." Another, more toothy grin spreading across his muzzle, the fox added, "Maybe next time you'll be a little more careful."

He could only look up at him, pouting, feeling his face heat up as the fox smiled down at him. There was nothing he could find to say as a reply to the cold logic of the fox's words. After a few moments, the fox added "Well, you should be okay, after a fashion, so I'll take my leave of you. Thanks again for your help, and maybe we'll meet up again someday."

With a cheerful wave of his bushy tail, the fox dismissed the boy's accusing glare and then turned from him. Jumping down off the top of the well, he vanished, leaving the boy alone. He was trapped, standing there in the muddy water, with his wet clothes and sore back. Looking up at the blue sky through the opening of the well, his eyes burned.

"Come back!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. He waited, then continued calling to the fox, hearing his voice echo inside the well. He shouted for several minutes, his voice becoming louder and more desperate. The fox never returned, and his voice turned hoarse. He stopped and looked around. His throat hurt and his face burned.

Grabbing at one of the stones along the side of the well, he pulled himself up, sticking his foot on another for support. It was slippery though and he misjudged his footing. He pushed himself upwards, only to lose his step. He fell backwards, landing in the muddy water with a wet plop.

He kicked his foot in disgust and let out a snarl of frustration. "Stupid fox," he spat out as he splashed the water with his fist, "I hate him." He thrashed at the water again as tears filled his eyes, then leaned back against the wall and started sobbing.

He cried for some time, the grief pouring out of him, his body shaking. His sobs slowly died down, then he wiped his eyes with a wet hand, the water cooling his skin. His breathing returned to normal as he looked around again. He was trapped, but he had to get out, he'd be late for the meeting with his teacher. Remembering his tutoring session, a new pang of tension hit him.

The fox had tricked him, and now he was stuck. `But how did he trick you so easily?' he could almost hear his teacher say as he sat there in the cold water. Thinking clearer now, he could imagine the questions his teacher would ask him, as he'd done in the past when he'd made a mistake.

"The water," he whispered to himself, "he made it sound so good." He felt his face heat up again as he thought of how the fox had talked him into this trap, just so he could use him as a ladder to escape. Pausing, he then added, "I wish I hadn't been so thirsty." He sat there a bit longer, thinking of what his teacher would say to him.

With a sigh of resignation, he stood up. It was done now, and he had to get himself out of it. The water drained out of his dirty, sodden clothes, as he shook them out the best he could. Standing before the wall, he looked at the stones again, this time more closely. Grabbing onto one of them, he carefully placed his foot on another. After a couple of tries, he discovered he could use the curved wall of the well to his advantage, bracing his legs against it.

Slowly but surely he maneuvered his way up. His back was still hurt and it was tough going, but he felt his confidence returning. Once he got above the water, the rocks weren't as slippery either. He was going to be late meeting his teacher, but he could make him proud by getting out of this mess. He also felt he'd be able to answer his teacher's questions about this experience.

* * *

"So, there you have the story of the fox and the goat," the teacher concluded. This was one of his favorite tales, and it usually delighted those he told it to as well. Pausing to take in the looks of rapt attention on the faces of the young students sitting around him, he then continued. "Now we see what a predicament the foolish goat got himself into, don't we, letting that fox trick him into jumping down the well. What lessons do you suppose he could've learned from it?" As he asked the question, a small gleam flashed in old Aesop's eyes, distant memories refreshing themselves once again. No matter how many times he related the tale, altered to fit his teaching style, and to protect his reputation as well, he couldn't help but chuckle. A smile crept over his face as he listened to his students' discussions. He nodded at their suggestions and insights, remembering long ago the important lesson which he himself had learned from the fox.


Copyright 2001, Will A. Sanborn - was1@shore.net