How the Bear Lost his Tail

　　This is the story of Bears tail. Ive heard it told in Germany, and in North America by the Iroquois Indians.

　　A long time ago, Bear had a beautiful, long, furry tail. He thought it was really cool. He laid it out behind him and people had to walk round it.

　　He asked everyone: Dont you think my tail is the most beautiful tail youve ever seen?

　　People thought Bear was very vain, but they were frightened of his big claws and didnt want to make him angry.So they told him he looked totally cool with his big, black, shiny tail. One cold winters day, Bear went lumbering down to the lake.

　　Fox was sitting on the frozen water, surrounded by fish.

　　He knew that Bear was hungry, and decided to play a trick on him. Hello brother Fox said Bear, his mouth watering. Where did you get all those fish?

　　I caught them said Fox, pointing to a hole in the ice. But you dont have anything to fish with said Bear.