Once upon a time old Lady Fox was very hungry, but she had nothing to eat, and there was no sign of a dinner to be had anywhere.

“What shall I do, what shall I do?” whined the Fox.  “I am so faint and hungry, but all the birds and all the fowls are afraid of me and will not venture near enough for me to consult them about a dinner.  I have so bad a name that no one will trust me.  What can I do to win back the respect of the community and earn a square meal?  Ah, I have it!  I will turn pious and go upon a pilgrimage.  That ought to make me popular once more.”

So the Fox started upon the pilgrimage.  She had not gone very far when she met a Cock, but he knew the character of Madame Fox too well to trust himself near.  He flew up into a tree, and from that safe perch crowed jauntily, “Good morning, Madame Fox.  Whither away so fast?”

The Fox drew down the corners of her mouth, trying to look pious, and rolled up her eyes as she answered in a hollow voice, “Oh, Master Cock, I am going on a pious pilgrimage.  I am sorry for my wicked life, and now I am going to be good.”

“Ah,” said the Cock, “I am indeed glad to hear that!  Going on a pilgrimage, are you?  Well, in that case I will go with you.”

“Do, Master Cock, do,” answered the Fox fervently.  “It will do you good.  Come sit upon my broad back and I will carry you.”

The Cock thanked her and climbed upon her back, and so they proceeded on their pilgrimage together.  After a while they came upon a Dove, which fluttered away hastily when she saw old Lady Fox, knowing too well her wicked tricks.  But the Fox called to her in a gentle voice:—­

“Do not be afraid, O Dove.  I know why you start at my approach.  But I have repented of my former sins and have turned pilgrim.  My friend, the Cock, and I have just started upon our pious journey.  Will you join us?”

When the innocent Dove saw the Cock upon the Fox’s back she thought that certainly everything must be safe, so she answered:—­

“Yes, Madame Fox, I will go with you.”

“Jump right up on my back; there is plenty of room beside the Cock,” said the Fox cordially.

A little further on they met a wild Duck, who waddled away quacking wildly when he saw the Fox trotting towards him.  But the sly old lady called out to him, smiling:—­

“Be calm, little brother.  I have given up my former unkind tricks, for which I sadly repent, and now I am going on a pious pilgrimage.  See, your friends the Cock and the Dove are my companions.”

“In that case I will go along, too,” said the Duck, “for you have a goodly party.”

“That is right,” replied the Fox approvingly.  “I thought you would go.  Kindly take a back seat with the others.”

Now when these queer pilgrims had traveled for some time they came to a cave in the rocks, a deep dark cave which looked like a den.  And here the Fox stopped, saying:—­