Household Tales · Chapter
The Fox and His Cousin explained
The she-wolf invites the fox to be godfather to her cub, trusting his cleverness.
What happens
The she-wolf invites the fox to be godfather to her cub, trusting his cleverness. The fox feigns honesty, then tricks her into raiding a sheepfold where she is caught and scalded by peasants. He pretends to be injured and convinces her to carry him home, then mocks her and escapes.
Themes in this chapter
Family Dynamics and Betrayal
The fox, invited as a godfather and relative, betrays the she-wolf's trust for his own amusement.
Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished
The she-wolf's gullibility leads to her suffering, while the fox's deceit goes unpunished, subverting the typical moral.
Characters to notice
- old Mr. Fox
The fox acts as godfather, deceives the she-wolf, and escapes after mocking her.
- the servants
Peasants who catch the she-wolf and pour burning mixture on her.
Key passages
“The she-wolf brought forth a young one, and invited the fox to be godfather.”
The she-wolf gave birth and asked the fox to be her cub's godfather.
Opening event establishing the fox's role.
“He pointed out the fold from afar, and said, 'You will be able to creep in there without being seen, and in the meantime I will look about on the other side to see if I can pick up a chicken.'”
The fox directed the she-wolf to sneak into the sheepfold while he pretended to hunt elsewhere.
The fox's deceptive plan to send the she-wolf into danger.
“The she-wolf crept into the stable. A dog was lying there, and it made such a noise that the peasants came running out, caught Gossip Wolf, and poured a strong burning mixture... over her skin.”
The she-wolf was discovered by a barking dog, and the peasants captured and scalded her.
The she-wolf's punishment for following the fox's advice.
“Then the fox cried to her, 'Farewell, dear Mistress Gossip, may the roasting you have had do you good,' laughed heartily at her, and bounded off.”
The fox mocked the she-wolf, wished her well with her injuries, and ran away laughing.
The fox's final betrayal and escape.