The Fox and the Cat - by Simon Sarris - The Map is Mostly Water
A cat once happened upon a fox in the forest. While shy of such a dangerous creature, she thought to herself: “The fox is said to be full of arts and experience, and so clever that he is esteemed by all in the world. Perhaps I can learn something from him.” So she called to him in a cordial manner, “Good day, dear Fox, how is it getting on in the forest?”
The fox, who was napping among the leaves, lifted his pointed snout to gaze at the cat. Slowly he looked from head to tail, then he sneered and sighed, and after a long time said, “Oh, you wretched little pet, you barn staffer, you foolish paw licker. What can you possibly be thinking of? Do you really have the nerve to ask how I am getting on? Do you even know how to hunt, or do you beg the humans to feed you? Tell me: How many arts of the world do you understand? Do you know anything at all?”
The cat kept her feline grace despite this torrent of insults, and calmly said, “I understand but one artful thing: When I am chased I climb a tree, and wait for danger to pass me by.”
