HELPING THE FOX

Once Hatim had gone to a forest.  On his way back to the palace, he heard a pitiful cry of an animal.

Hatim stopped his horse and got down to see which animal was crying.

He saw a vixen crying, "Oh my husband! Oh! God, save him!"

Hatim compassionately looked at the vixen. She had her four children with her.

He asked her, "What is the matter? Why are you crying?"

The vixen said, "My husband, the fox, has been caught by a hunter. The hunter will kill my husband. What should I do?"

Don't worry. I will get your husband back from the hunter, "said Hatim, and he went to the house of the hunter.

He said, "I need the blood of a fox or a wolf to cure someone. Do you hunt foxes and wolves?"

The hunter replied, "Yes, today I have caught a fox. Would you like to buy it for five gold coins?"

"Yes," said Hatim and gave the money ti the hunter. However, before leaving he warned the hunter, "Take these gold coins and give the fox. But next time if you hunt animals, i will not spare you."

The hunter took the money and set the fox free.

Hatim and the fox walked to the place where he had seen the vixen crying.

The four children and the vixen welcomed the fox with a lot of love.

Hatim felt very nice that he had given so much joy to this family. But suddenly the fox fainted and fell down.

Hatim ran and brought some water for the fox from a nearby pond.

The vixen said, No, water will not help. Only a human's blood can cure him."

At once, Hatim cut a vein of his hand.

The vixen shouted. "What are you doing? Don't cut yourself."

"Hush! We have to get your husband well again. If my blood can recover him, I'll be more than happy, "said Hatim.

Blood came out from the cut, and Hatim let the blood fall into the mouth of the fox.

The fox soon recovered.

The vixen thanked hatim for saving her husband's life.

The fox, "you have a heard of gold. I have seen no man with so much compassion for animals. May god bless you?"

When the children thanked Hatim for saving their father's life, he said, "You are welcome. As a king, it is my duty to take care of all the creatures of my kingdom."

After this, Hatim took leave from the fox and his family.

On seeing Hatim going back, the children got worried and innocently asked, "What if the hunder comes back to catch our father again? What will we do then?"

Hatim replied in a kind voice, "The hunter will never trouble you again. You need not worry. Now I have to go. Goodbye."

Bidding farewell to Hatim, the vixen said, "Goodbye! May the Almighty protect you in all your endeavors?"

This was yet another incident where Hatim helped someone in trouble, without considering the pain he himself had to undergo.