One day, a big tiger was looking for food in a dense¹ forest. A fox happened to scurry² by, so the tiger pounced³ upon the fox and caught it.

 

At this time, the fox suddenly hit upon a bright idea to get itself out of the predicament. It boosted its courage and said to the tiger: "Do you dare to eat me?"

 

Taken aback, the tiger asked: "Why not?"

 

"Heaven sends me to rule over all you animals. If you eat me, you will defy the order of Heaven. What a nerve!"

 

Hoodwinked for the moment, the tiger released its claws.

 

The fox wagged its tail proudly and said: "I will take you to the other animals, and show you my power and prestige."

 

The fox and the tiger, one in front and the other in back, walked towards the depths of the forest. The fox was very cocky, shaking its head and wagging its tail. The tiger was dubious⁴, looking around.

 

The boars, deer, gazelles, bares, etc. in the forest saw the fox come swaggering, entirely⁵ different from its usual self, and couldn't understand what was the matter. But when they looked behind the fox:"Oh, a big tiger!" The wild animals, large and small, all fled for their lives.

 

Now the fox was greatly pleased and said to the tiger: "See, who isn't afraid of me?"

 

一天，在一片茂密的森林里，有一只大老虎正在寻找食物。一只狐狸正好从老虎身边窜过。于是，老虎猛扑过去，就把狐狸逮住了。

 

这时候，狐狸眼珠子骨碌一转，急中生智，壮着胆子，对老虎说：“你敢吃我？”

 

“为什么不敢？”老虎一愣。

 

“老天爷派我来管理你们百兽，你吃了我，就是违抗了老天爷的命令。我看你有多大的胆子。”

 

老虎一下子被蒙住了，就放开了爪子。

 

狐狸得意地摇了摇尾巴，说：“我带着你到百兽面前走一趟，让你看看我的威风。”

 

狐狸和老虎，一前一后，朝着森林的深处走去。狐狸神气活现，摇头摆尾;老虎半信半疑，东张西望。

 

森林里的野猪、小鹿、黄羊、兔子……看见狐狸大摇大摆地走过来，跟往常大不一样，都弄不明白到底是怎么一回事，究竟是什么原因;再往狐狸身后一看，“呀，是一只大老虎！”大大小小的野兽都吓得撒腿就逃。

 

这时候，狐狸得意洋洋，对老虎说：“你看，谁不怕我？”

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