2 - The Fox and the Bluetit

Summary

At this point Reynard heard a little bluetit and said: “Greetings, my dear friend! I am really in the mood to kiss you, but God knows you are being very standoffish. My dear friend, you should demonstrate your love and trust—God Himself would be sorry if I were to find you wanting in that respect! In the name of all that I owe to your child, whose godfather I am, I am your faithful and open friend.” The bluetit replied: “I’ve heard quite a lot of bad things about you, Reynard, and I’m afraid of your eyes, which look very cruel to me. If you keep them shut, then I’ll be happy to kiss you three times on the mouth.” Reynard was very pleased at this tasty little prospect and was greatly looking forward to it. His dear friend, however, was still sitting high up in a tree. Reynard screwed his eyes shut, just as his friend had instructed. The bluetit picked up a piece of dirt in her foot, hopped from one branch another and dropped it neatly into Reynard's mouth. Now she saw clearly her friend's wicked plan. With bared teeth he grabbed at the piece of dirt, but his bluetit friend got out of his way. He had put in a lot of effort for a very poor reward and was again most unhappy about it. “Oh Lord,” he said, “how could You let a little bird trick me like that! I am really, really cross about it!” [177–216]