The Fox and the Woodcutter

Once upon a time, in a forest that felt a lot like a playground for adventurers, a super cheeky fox found himself in quite a pickle. He was sprinting as if he were trying to beat his own high score on a video game. And who were his enthusiastic followers? A group of hunters and their noisy dogs, who seemed like they had skipped nap time.

Fox thinks aloud, "Why can't these guys play tag or something? So much more civilized!"

In a dash, the fox finds a cozy little woodcutter's hut. Inside, the woodcutter looks up from his work and says, "Hey there, speedy! What's the rush? Somebody chasing you or what?"

Fox laughs and replies, "Chasing me? Kind of an understatement. Think of it as a very enthusiastic fan club with no boundaries!"

The woodcutter chuckles and offers, "Well, if it's a hide-and-seek game you're playing, wanna hang out here? Got some super fun sticks and stones to play with!"

Fox sighs, "Sticks and stones? What's next, mud pies? All right, I'll take cover."

So the woodcutter shows the fox to a comfy, cozy corner inside the hut. The fox gets settled, curling his tail around him like a fluffy pillow.

Soon enough, the hunters show up, looking puzzled. "Hey, have you seen a fox around? One that looks like he’s trying out for a hair-gel commercial?"

The woodcutter, wanting to keep his promise to the fox but also not wanting to fib to the hunters, takes a clever approach. He says, "Hmm, a fox, you say? Nope, haven't seen him, but if I did, he'd probably critique my wallpaper." At the same time, he subtly winks toward the hut where the fox is hidden.

The hunters, completely missing the sneaky wink, say, "Alright, thanks for nothing," and they walk away, continuing their super-important, totally necessary fox hunt.

After the hunters and their yappy dogs leave, the fox jumps out from his snug corner, ready to hit the road.

The woodcutter calls out, "Hey, where's the 'thank you'? I hid you, didn’t I?"

Fox turns back and states, "Well, if you were really all-in on helping me, you wouldn't have done that sly wink-wink to the hunters, would you now?"

With that snappy retort, the fox prances off into the forest, his tail high, like he’s on a runway. The woodcutter is left scratching his head, contemplating his next career move.

The woodcutter mumbles to himself, "Fine, next time, I’ll just draw a big arrow pointing to where you are. How about that, Mr. Sassy Pants?"

And off goes the fox, maybe to draft a forest review blog. The woodcutter? Well, he's left pondering if he should maybe take up mime as a hobby. After all, his subtle gestures could use some work!

Once a clever fox on the run,
From hunters and hounds, not having fun.
Found refuge with a woodcutter, kind and fair,
"Hide in my hut, you'll be safe in there."

Hunters knocked on the door, "Fox, did you see?"
The woodcutter paused, in a moral decree.
"No fox around here," he softly did say,
While pointing his thumb where the fox lay.

The hunters shrugged, "Alright, we'll roam,"
Not catching the hint, they left him alone.
When all was clear, the fox stepped outside,
Ready to go, in the forest he'd hide.

"Wait," cried the man, "No thank you to me?"
"I saved your life; don't you agree?"
The fox looked back, his eyes cool and sly,
"If you meant to help, why'd you almost say 'hi'?"

"Your hint to the hunters could've been my end,
True help needs no clues, on that depend."
Away dashed the fox, in the forest, now free,
Leaving the woodcutter, lost in a thoughtful decree.