Master Fox was very fond of sweet potatoes and every evening he went down the hill to the valley where the sweetest potatoes grew. The farmer tried many ways to trap Master Fox, but in vain.

Then, one day, he made a straw man and covered him with jackfruit and lime. When Master Fox saw the strange creature, he struck it with his paw only to find that his paw stuck firm and fast. He pulled hard but the lime held it. In a fit of anger, he struck the other paw, and found himself completely helpless. The more he struggled to free himself, the more entangled he got.

Soon the farmer was on the scene, brandishing a stout bamboo stick. “So I’ve caught you at last, Master Fox,” he shouted in triumph. “Now, I’ll smash you like a potato.”

Master Fox begged the farmer to spare his life. “I will do anything for you, Sir,” he said, “and I promise never to touch your potatoes. Only spare my life.”

“Easier said than done,” said the farmer, and raised the bamboo stick to deliver a fatal blow on the head of Master Fox. “Listen to me, Sir,” said the fox, “I will marry your son to the King’s daughter. Spare my life and I will do it.”

“The King’s daughter!” exclaimed the farmer. “That’s something,” and dropped the bamboo stick.

“You’ll be father-in-law of the King’s daughter,” said the fox. The farmer was glad beyond measure and set about to free Master Fox from the lime.

“You’ll have everything that you ask,” he said. “There is only one thing I have to request you,” said Master Fox. “When I die, you must give me a state funeral.” The farmer readily agreed. He made a wooden cage for Master Fox and gave him his regular ration of flesh meat.

Master Fox sat in his coop and planned the arrangements. He told the farmer that he would go to the King’s palace, as the farmer’s ambassador and ask for the hand of the King’s daughter for his son.

Master Fox went to the forest and brought a hundred elephants, a hundred horses and a hundred peacocks. The most cunning goldsmith was engaged to make a curious necklace of gold and precious stones for the princess. Master Fox dressed himself in silk and velvet and rode upon the most majestic elephant at the head of his retinue of peacocks and horses and elephants.

The King received him with great acclaim and in quired about the purpose of his mission. “Your Excellency,” Master Fox said, “I come to you from my master who rules a vast kingdom in the west. He sends you these elephants, horses and peacocks and begs you to accept them. He has a great desire to form an alliance with you and begs for the hand of your daughter in marriage to his son. And in token of his love the prince sends this necklace to the princess.”

The King was pleased with the gifts and consented to give away his daughter. Master Fox returned with presents to his master and son.

“You must have a palace to suit your position,” he told the farmer, and immediately, he called his forest friends and began the work of building. Soon a most magnificent palace was erected where formerly stood the farmer’s hut. Master Fox went to fetch the bride with all pomp and ceremony and the marriage was celebrated with feasting and rejoicing.

Master Fox lived in the palace and advised the old farmer in all his affairs. One day, he said to himself, “I wonder whether the old farmer will keep his word and give me a state funeral.” He decided to test it for himself. He pretended to be very ill, and after a few days he lay still as if dead.

When the old farmer was told the news of the death of Master Fox, he said to his servants, “Drag him away and throw him out of the compound wall.” Master Fox heard the words, and as the servants laid hands on him, he opened his eyes and said to the old farmer, “So this is how you keep your promise, you cunning and ungrateful old fellow.”

The old farmer begged to be forgiven and renewed his promise. Master Fox lived in peace for a number of years and one day died of old age. The old farmer dared not take any chance this time. He kept his promise and gave Master Fox a state funeral.

A Folktale sourced from The Wise Fools of Moira and Other Goan Folk Tales collected by Prof. Lucio Rodrigues.

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