Once upon a time... a horse was gazing
peacefully in a rolling green meadow. A
famished wolf passing by saw the horse
and his mouth began to water.

"That's a fine horse! And will taste
good too! He'd make a juicy steak! Pity
he's so big. I don't think I'd manage to
bring him down, though you never know..."

The wolf approached the horse, which
continued to eat the grass. "...maybe,
if I take him by surprise."

Now quite close, the wolf spoke to the
horse, trying to sound as pleasant as
he could.

"Good day, Mr. Horse, I see you're
enjoying a meal. Is the grass good? I
must say you're looking rather pale.
Aren't you well?"

His mouth fool of grass, the horse
replied: "Pale? Oh, no, that's my
natural color. I was born white and
grey."

The wolf pretended not to understand
what the horse had said. "Yes, indeed,
very pale. It's just as well your
master has given you a holiday in the
field, instead of working."

"A holiday in the field? But I'm the
picture of health!..." The wolf was
now circling round the horse, trying
to find the best point to attack.

"I'm a doctor," he went on. "I can
treat you. If you tell me where the
pain is. I'm sure I can cure it. Take
my advice. Let me examine you!"

The horse, who was not usually wary
of others, became suspicious of the
wolf's persistent remarks, and thought
he had better be on his guard. The
wolf was now very close and carefully
biding his time, when the horse said,
in alarm: "Yes! Now that think of it,
I have a sore hind foot. It's been
swollen for ages..."

Without a moment's thought, the wolf
trotted up to the hoof which the horse
had obligingly raised into the air.
And when he was certain that the wolf
had come within range, the horse gave
a mighty kick, catching the wolf on
the jawbone and sending him flying.

"Would you like to examine me again?"
The wolf heard the words as he
struggled to his feet with spinning
head.