right, but it is very disturbing," replied the fox, and he rose up
and let the goose sit down.

"It is just as I felt with my beak, it is the warmest spot, and you
can't deny it. Now, I want my share of it."

"You won't get it, your request is absurd," and he pushed her aside.
Then he lay down and buried his eyes in his tail, as if trying to sleep.

Stupidify looked as if she might give in.

"Demand your rights," cried Purrier, in a shrill menacing voice; "the
king is on your side," he added, with an emphatic yell.

"I want my rights," cried the goose, encouraged to quarrelsomeness, and
she bit Crafticus on the ear.

"Stupidify," said the fox, slowly raising his head, "you are breaking
my rest. Don't you know that I have to run in the king's chamois chase
to-morrow, and that I need all the sleep I can get?"

"The king is my friend," answered the goose with a chuckle and a
stubborn look.

"Do let me alone," rejoined the fox, as he buried his face again in his
tail. But it was no use.

"I want my rights, I want my rights," screamed the goose, and she went
on demanding them or scolding and hissing every now and then till
midnight.

At last Crafticus arose and said--"I can't stand this any longer. I
can't get any sleep, and I shall be quite unfit for the king's chase."
Then turning to the goose he cried--"Wretch, you have provoked me to
kill you, and you have yourself to blame"; and having said this, he
seized Stupidify by the neck and killed her.

Purrier now sprang from his bed and leaped into the box beside
Crafticus, and they had a right royal feast together. They chatted and
laughed, and Purrier told what he said to the goose when he met her and
walked with her towards the barn.

"You have done well, Purrier, and I'll never forget you."

"Oh, my part was nothing," replied he, "it was your own wise head that
planned the whole trick. And when your case comes again before the
king, I am sure it can't be broken."

"Thank you sincerely," rejoined Crafticus. "I shall now get back to my
dear, sorrowing wife and children."

* * * * *

Two days afterwards, the fox stood again before the king.

"Crafticus," said the counsellor, with a grave face, "you are charged
this time with wilfully killing Stupidify, the king's fat goose. Now
what have you to say for yourself?"

Then Crafticus told the whole story of his provocation in a persuasive,
modest manner, and he finished by