The Fox and the Bramble

07. THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE.
A Fox pursued by hound and horn,
Was sorely by a Bramble torn
While bounding swiftly through a hedge
Which threw him into such a rage
He cursed the Bramble for a foe,
That he could use a stranger so.
The Bramble boldly cried, "You thought
That I would serve your turn for nought!
But know, we of the Bramble line,
Repel such handling, friend, as thine,
For laying hold, time out of mind,
Has been the custom of our kind."
MAKE NOT
MEDDLE NOT
TOUCH NOT
THE CAT WITHOUT A GLOVE
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The Fox and the Bush

6.05. De vulpe et rubo
Caxton: Of the Foxe and of the busshe
Men ought not to demaunde ne aske help of them that ben more customed to lette than to do good or prouffit / as it appereth by this fable of a fox which for to scape the peril to be taken wente vpon a thorne busshe / whiche hurted hym sore / and wepynge sayd to the busshe / I am come as to my refuge vnto the / and thow hast hurted me vnto the dethe / And thenne the busshe sayd to hym / thow hast erred / and wel thou hast begyled thy self / For thow supposest to haue taken me as thow arte custommed to take chekyns and hennes /
And therfore men ought not to helpe them whiche ben acustomed to doo euylle / but men ought rather to lette them
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The Fox and the Bramble

087. THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE. A fox, hard pressed by the hounds, was getting over a hedge, but tore his foot upon a bramble, which grew just in the midst of it; upon which he reproached the bramble for his inhospitable cruelty in using a stranger, who had fled to him for protection, after such a barbarous manner.
“Yes,” says the bramble, “you intended to have made me serve your turn, I know: but take this piece of advice with you for the future, never lay hold of a bramble again, as you tender your sweet person; for laying hold is a privilege that belongs to us brambles, and we do not care to let it go out of the family.” [more info]

The Fox and the Bramble

008. THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Lion and the Fox

277. THE LION AND THE FOX. A FOX entered into partnership with a Lion on the pretense of becoming his servant. Each undertook his proper duty in accordance with his own nature and powers. The Fox discovered and pointed out the prey; the Lion sprang on it and seized it. The Fox soon became jealous of the Lion carrying off the Lion’s share, and said that he would no longer find out the prey, but would capture it on his own account. The next day he attempted to snatch a lamb from the fold, but he himself fell prey to the huntsmen and hounds. [more info]

The Fox and the Bramble

1.02. THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE. We should bear with patience a small evil when it is connected with a greater good.
A Fox closely pursued by a pack of dogs took shelter under the covert of a Bramble. He rejoiced in this asylum and for a while was very happy but soon found that if he attempted to stir he was wounded by thorns and prickles on every side. However, making a virtue of necessity, he forbore to complain and comforted himself with reflecting that no bliss is perfect; that good and evil are mixed and flow from the same fountain.These briars indeed, said he, will tear my skin a little, yet they keep off the dogs. For the sake of the good then let me bear the evil with patience: each bitter has its sweet, and these brambles, though they wound my flesh, preserve my life from danger. [more info]