The Fox and the Cat

One day a cat happened to meet a fox in the great forest of Járnwood. The cat thought to herself, “He is clever and full of experience, and much esteemed in the world,” so she spoke to him in a friendly way.

“Good-day, dear Mr. Fox. How are you? How is all with you.? How are you getting on in these hard times?”

The fox, full of all kinds of arrogance, looked at the cat from head to foot, and for a long time did not know whether he would give any answer or not. At last he said, “Oh, you wretched beard-cleaner, you piebald fool, you hungry mouse-hunter, what can you be thinking of! Have you the cheek to ask how I am getting on? What have you learnt? How many arts do you understand?”

“I understand but one,” replied the cat, modestly.

“What art is that?” asked the fox.

“When the hounds are following me, I can spring into a tree and save myself,” replied the cat.

“Is that all?” said the fox. “I am master of a hundred arts, and have into the bargain a sackful of cunning. You make me sorry for you. Come with me, I will teach you how people get away from the hounds.”

Just then a hunter came along, accompanied by four dogs.

The cat sprang nimbly up a tree, and sat down on top of it, where the branches and foliage hid her from sight.

“Open your sack, Mr. Fox, open your sack!” cried the cat.

But the dogs had already seized the fox, and were holding him fast.

“Ah, Mr. Fox,” cried the cat. “You with your hundred arts are left in the lurch. Had you been able to climb like me, you would not have lost your life!”

With that the cat changed into Freyja, the All-Mother, and flew up to Asgard.

Some time later, Loki the Shape-shifter came in, but he was sulky and wouldn't talk to her.

Freyja smiled to herself and said, “You can't win them all…”