The tiger said to the fox: Let us race from the top of the world to its bottom, and whoever wins becomes the master of the world!
The Cunning Fox: The fox agreed, and the tiger leaped launching, without noticing that the fox had hung onto his tail to drag him along wherever he went. As soon as the tiger was about to reach the other end of the world, he suddenly looked around to mock the fox, whom he believed had lagged far behind him.
No Tigers in Ainu Island: But this movement was exactly what threw the fox to the other end safely, so he was able to call out to the tiger, who was struck with astonishment: Here I am. Why have you delayed until this extent to me? For this reason, there are no tigers in Ainu Island.
The Tiger and the Fox’s Cunning Again: The tiger said to the fox: You are the most cunning of creatures. Let us see which of us can release the highest roar, and whoever wins will dominate the world. The fox agreed, and the two stood beside each other. Since it was the tiger’s turn to roar first, he remained standing, not noticing how the fox had dug a hole through which he could hide his head so as not to be stunned by the tiger’s roar.
Coming Out of the Hole: Indeed, the tiger roared with a loud voice, thinking he had been heard from the top of the world to its bottom, and that this must have stunned the fox. But the fox, as soon as he knew the tiger’s roar was about to end, jumped from the hole in which he had hidden his ears and said: Wonderful! I can hardly hear you. You can certainly release a roar higher than that. It is better for you to try again.
The Tiger’s Attempt Again and the Fox’s Cunning: The tiger became extremely angry, for he expected the fox would die from the shock of his voice. In any case, he determined to make another tremendous effort and actually did so, while the fox again hid his head in the hole, and the tiger’s heart exploded from the attempt.
Cunning Foxes: For this reason, there are no tigers in Ainu Island, and for this reason also, foxes are cunning and astute to this day.