When the door was pushed, Thaloub straightened up, and disappointment almost overcame him, for his mother hadn’t come as he wished. Rather, his grandfather was the one who came. But as soon as he saw his grandfather placing a piece of honey on the table, he felt his hopes reviving. Then he spoke secretly to himself, saying: A real fox.
In truth, this word he said was for his grandfather, who used to say: A real fox is one who can get honey by any possible means. Then Thaloub stood up approaching the table and said: Oh grandfather.
The grandfather looked at Thaloub suspiciously, then said to him: Thaloub, you must wait. Your mother will come and will nurse you until you are full. Thaloub answered him: My mother has weaned me, oh grandfather. Then he looked at the piece of honey on the table, saying: I want a piece.
The grandfather interrupted Thaloub saying: No, my son, for you are still small, and honey may harm you. Thaloub fell silent because he knew his grandfather well—he wouldn’t give him anything of his own will. Then he suddenly jumped and shouted: Oh grandfather, quickly! The rabbit.
The grandfather set out at lightning speed outside after hearing Thaloub’s call, then returned also like lightning, but it was too late, for the piece of honey had disappeared from the table. The grandfather stared at Thaloub, then began approaching him.
The grandfather was saying from between his teeth as he went toward Thaloub: Ah… the rabbit… At that time, Thaloub released his legs to the wind and fled in escape before the grandfather closed on his neck. While he was fleeing from his grandfather, he shouted: Oh grandfather, don’t be angry, for I am like you… a real fox.
The moral of the story: Do not try to be cleverer than those like you, for they enjoy the same intelligence and cunning as you. It is better to deal with them with logic and to act well so you don’t lose everything.
Story from Arabic literature by the author: Talal Hassan