Before You Enter the Well

A fox slipped into an old stone well while looking for a cool drink. There was very little water at the bottom, but the sides were too high for him to climb.

He called toward the opening, hoping someone would hear. A goat passing the field stopped and looked down. She asked why the fox was standing inside instead of drinking from the stream.

The fox was embarrassed about being stuck. Instead of saying so, he praised the cool water and claimed that staying inside was a clever way to prepare for a dry spell.

The goat trusted the explanation and entered the well without asking how to leave. Once beside the fox, she noticed the smooth high walls. The comfortable drink had come with a problem.

The fox used the goat's back as a step and reached the rim. He climbed out, leaving her below. The goat expected him to help, but he started walking away across the grass.

The goat called after him. His advice had helped himself, not her. She realised that a confident voice could hide a problem when the speaker wanted something from the person listening.

A farmer heard the goat and came to inspect the well. He fetched proper lifting equipment and asked a neighbour to help. The goat waited calmly while the adults prepared a safe rescue.

They lifted her with a broad supporting sling and guided her onto level ground. She shook out her coat and thanked them. Nobody needed to climb into the well after her.

The fox returned, ashamed, and admitted that he had hidden the truth. The goat accepted his apology but decided to ask her own questions before trusting another invitation from him.

The farmer secured the old well. The goat walked home by the stream, thinking about entrances and exits. A good plan needed both, and good advice needed an honest reason behind it.