The fox and the owl.

Johnny the fox strolls the outskirts of a farm. Two days without a bite is way too much. A growling stomach is not a good companion for a hunter. Blinded by vile hunger, hidden from sight, he crosses the gate in search for his next bite.

Everyone inside is asleep; he knows that pretty soon blood will spill. From above, another hunter is searching for his prey, watching the movement down below, an owl lands swiftly frightening our friend the Fox. “Wait! Don’t eat me! I’m just fur and bones.” Waiting for the worst, Johnny the fox pretends to be made of stone.

Two yellow glowing rings are all Johnny the Fox could see. The own moves forward still staring at him. “What’s your plan young fox? We could pretend to be friends, grab a couple of hens and go our own way.” The fox not believing his luck, decides to join forces and trust the old Owl. Thinking quickly Fox comes out with a plans. “First I need you to take care of the crows, if they see me, they will start to caw.”

“That’s easy,” says the old Owl, “how are you planning to get the hens?” The fox moves forward to add. “The hens sleep inside of a cage with no lock, I can open the gate and take a couple of them, but without your help, the crows will bring mayhem.”

“Tell me more you Fox, how can you take them out without making any noise?” Ask the old Owl in a serious tone.

“Easy, I’ll bite their necks, drag one out and come back for the rest.” The owl agrees and off he goes, Fox wait for his partner in crime to come back. Moving like a burglar roaming in the night, the old Owl flies low and one by one, takes care of each crow. Looking proud he manages to get back and adds, “Crows are gone.” Go now fox, do yours.”

Moving stealthily, our friend Fox manages to pass front gate. Once inside, he succeeds in jumping over a couple of hay bale to finally position himself on top of the roof of a red 1975 Ford pick-up truck parked on the left side of the barn.

Hidden in the shadows, a grey and white young cat urges Fox to get closer.

“Are you planning to take the hens?” said the hungry cat almost like whispering.

“Yes, Tonight is the night.” Quivered Fox without taking his eyes from the cage.

“There’s a problem Fox, look over there.” Cat forces Fox to look all the way to the right, a big, black Labrador peacefully sleeps without his leash.

“Listen Fox, let’s make a deal, I can make the dog to chase me, I’ll take him out of the barn, I know how. That will give you plenty of time to take some hens, but I want one.” Whispered the stripped feline in cat-like fashion.

“I see, you got yourself a deal. There’s plenty for all of us.”

To his amazement, cat makes another request.

“But I want one of the young hens, I ‘m a small cat, I don’t have the strength to carry those big old feathery delights. My mother is taking care of my brothers and sisters, if you help me, we can have a feast with tender meat.”

“All right, no big deal, one of those tender hens is yours, I’ll take care of the rest.”

Cat moves forward without making any noise, gets closer to the sleeping giant, gets cover behind a couple of rusty oil boxes and starts to run at full speed towards the dog.

With a clean movement, he manages to jump on the dog’s stomach. Using the dog’s belly as a trampoline, does a summersault and as soon as he lands, continues with his race. Dog wakes up not knowing what really happened, under his sleepy haze he sees a small cat running and without even barking starts a full speed chase towards the back of the barn.

Fox not wasting any time, gets out of his hiding place and spots the grand price once and for all. The feather filled cage makes his heart beat race inside his chest. He can’t believe his luck, with no crows on the branches, dog busy in his quest for revenge, nothing can interfere with his plan. He is alone at last with the sleeping hens inside the cage.

Fox dragged the first hen out, owl swoop down and clawed. One by one Johnny the Fox cleaned the cage, leaving it empty without a single hen. Owl takes the last one and says, “I’m taking all the hens, be safe silly fox, there’s a parliament to be feed.”

Fox explode with anger and yells. “You tricked me, you filthy night plunderer.” Turning his head, the owl comments, “A prowler in need means dirty deeds, always remember that young Fox, a prowler in need means dirty deeds. Never trust a prowler in need!”