Chapter 4
Kitsune touched down on the ground near her favorite watering hole. A stream drained off into a pond, concealed in the shadow of a small overhang. She lapped up the cool water with her rough tongue.
A mouse, a dog—both were completely unhelpful. What manner of beast would know the answer to Kitsune's simple question?
Why was her tail so fluffy?
Kitsune's pondering was disturbed by a thunderous splash.
A bear had smashed its big face into Kitsune's pond. It gulped down water and pulled its head up. Streams of water flowed down its furry countenance.
The bear shook its head vigorously, splashing water everywhere. Kitsune got a glimpse of the bear's face. It was grizzled with white hairs and looked quite old.
Kitsune had seen this bear before. It was the same old bear who always flirted with her, mistaking her tail for a she-bear.
Kitsune darted behind the nearest tree.
Old Bear
Hmmmmmrrrrrrrr?
The bear had caught a glimpse of Kitsune's big tail.
In fact, as the bear circled around the pond-edge, it could see Kitsune's tail in plain view, even as the fox hid behind the tree.
Old Bear
Hey there, hrrrrrmmmm.... No need to hide from me, beautiful bear lady, hrrrrm. Why don't you come out from behind that tree so I can ... get a better look at you, mmrrrrhh?
Kitsune briefly considered darting up the nearest tree. But the bear was old, slow-moving and half-blind with astigmatism. Kitsune knew she had nothing to fear from the bear.
So Kitsune devised a scheme. Perhaps the ancient bear possessed a sort of wisdom that comes with age. Perhaps he could answer Kitsune's question.
Kitsune
I don't want to come out—
As she spoke, she imitated a she-bear's voice by speaking low and growling—
Kitsune
My beauty is so dazzling that it would drive an old bear like you mad with lust. Grr.
Old Bear
I can tell, grrrowl..... But I'm a gentle old bear.... I'll play nice, rrrrrmmmm.
Kitsune
I will show myself, and then I will make love to you—but on one condition. You must answer my question first.
Old Bear
I'll do anything for you, rrrmmmmmm....
Kitsune
Very well. Turn around and close your eyes for ten seconds. Then open your eyes. You will see a fox standing directly in front of you. Take a good look, then close your eyes again. Then I will ask you my question. It pertains to the fox.
Old Bear
Anything you say.
Kitsune peeked out from behind her tree. The bear did as he was told. He closed his eyes and swiveled his giant furry body around on his hind legs to face the opposite direction.
Kitsune tiptoed over to the bear.
The bear opened his tiny black eyes. Kitsune strutted in front of him, and wagged her voluptuous tail left and right.
The bear stood up on his haunches and squinted down at the fox. Apparently he had trouble seeing even right in front of him. Then the bear nodded his head and closed his eyes.
Kitsune darted behind the tree.
Kitsune
And now for my question: Why is that fox's tail so fluffy?
Old Bear
Hrrrrmmmmm.... A strange question for a she-bear to ask.... But I will try my best to answer.... Perhaps the fox's mother and father have fluffy tails? I have noticed that creatures of the forest tend to take after their sires.
Kitsune
I too have noticed this, grr. The fox's mother and father possess tails of significant, but not abnormal, fluffiness. So that cannot be the explanation.
Old Bear
Hrrrrmmmmmmmoooff.... Perhaps the fox's diet consists of an abundance of furry creatures—
Kitsune had already heard this answer from the mouse. She interrupted the bear.
Kitsune
No. The fox eats the same things as any other fox of the forest.
Old Bear
Rrrrmmmfff! What manner of beastly riddle is this, she-bear? I desire your soft body....
Kitsune
It's not a riddle. It is an honest question. Can you answer it?
Old Bear
To be honest.... I have never seen a tail so fluffy, so I am at a loss, rrwoor.... Though for some reason, I feel that I have seen such a tail before....
Suddenly, the old bear stood up on his haunches and roared.
Kitsune
What is the matter? Do—do you not know? Do you not want to make love?
Old Bear
You tricked me! You're not a she-bear at all! You're the fox! You're the fox with the fluffy tail! You deceitful little beast! RrrAAaaOOOooOarrrRrrR!!
The bear landed on all fours again, like an earthquake. Quicker than lightning, Kitsune darted up a tree, careful not to catch her tail in the thin branches.
Old Bear
Grrrrrrrrrrrr..... I feel so embarrassed!
And the old bear skulked away, dejected.