A great many
people have supposed that the Black or Silver Fox and the Cross Fox
were distinct kinds. They are not. They are simply Red Foxes with
different coats. The fur of the Silver Fox is considered by man to
be one of the choicest of all furs and tremendous prices are paid
for it. This means, of course, that a young Fox whose coat is
black will need to be very smart indeed if he would live to old
age, for once he has been seen by man he will be hunted unceasingly."
Reddy Fox had been listening intently and now Mother Nature
noticed a worried look on his face. "What is it, Reddy?" said
she. "You look anxious."
"I am anxious," said he. "What you have just said has worried me.
You see, one of my cubs at home is all black. Now that I have
learned that his fur is so valuable, Mrs. Reddy and I will have
to take special pains to teach him all we know."
"I want you all to know that Reddy Fox and Mrs. Reddy mate for
life," said Old Mother Nature. "Reddy is the best of fathers and
the best of mates."
"There's one thing I do envy Reddy," spoke up Peter Rabbit, "and
that is that big tail of his. It is a wonderful tail. I wish I
had one like it."
How everybody laughed as they tried to picture Peter Rabbit with a
big tail like that of Reddy Fox. "I am afraid you wouldn't get far
if you had to carry that around," said Old Mother Nature.
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