When the two friends had thus become reconciled, they examined the cub, and saw that it had a slight wound in its foot, and could not walk; and while they were thinking what they should do, they spied out the herb called “Doctor’s Nakase,” which was just sprouting; so they rolled up a little of it in their fingers and applied it to the part.  Then they pulled out some boiled rice from their luncheon-box and offered it to the cub, but it showed no sign of wanting to eat; so they stroked it gently on the back, and petted it; and as the pain of the wound seemed to have subsided, they were admiring the properties of the herb, when, opposite to them, they saw the old foxes sitting watching them by the side of some stacks of rice straw.

“Look there! the old foxes have come back, out of fear for their cub’s safety.  Come, we will set it free!” And with these words they untied the string round the cub’s neck, and turned its head towards the spot where the old foxes sat; and as the wounded foot was no longer painful, with one bound it dashed to its parents’ side and licked them all over for joy, while they seemed to bow their thanks, looking towards the two friends.  So, with peace in their hearts, the latter went off to another place, and, choosing a pretty spot, produced the wine bottle and ate their noon-day meal; and after a pleasant day, they returned to their homes, and became firmer friends than ever.

Now the man who had rescued the fox’s cub was a tradesman in good circumstances:  he had three or four agents and two maid-servants, besides men-servants; and altogether he lived in a liberal manner.  He was married, and this union had brought him one son, who had reached his tenth year, but had been attacked by a strange disease which defied all the physician’s skill and drugs.  At last a famous physician prescribed the liver taken from a live fox, which, as he said, would certainly effect a cure.  If that were not forthcoming, the most expensive medicine in the world would not restore the boy to health.  When the parents heard this, they were at their wits’ end.  However, they told the state of the case to a man who lived on the mountains.  “Even though our child should die for it,” they said, “we will not ourselves deprive other creatures of their lives; but you, who live among the hills, are sure to hear when your neighbours go out fox-hunting.  We don’t care what price we might have to pay for a fox’s liver; pray, buy one for us at any expense.”  So they pressed him to exert himself on their behalf; and he, having promised faithfully to execute the commission, went his way.

In the night of the following day there came a messenger, who announced himself as coming from the person who had undertaken to procure the fox’s liver; so the master of the house went out to see him.

“I have come from Mr. So-and-so.  Last night the fox’s liver that you required fell into his hands; so he sent me to bring it to you.”  With these words the messenger produced a small jar, adding, “In a few days he will let you know the price.”