A Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping

　　its enemies. "I have a whole bag of tricks," he said, "which

　　contains a hundred ways of escaping my enemies."

　　"I have only one," said the Cat; "but I can generally manage

　　with that." Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of

　　hounds coming towards them, and the Cat immediately scampered1 up a

　　tree and hid herself in the boughs2. "This is my plan," said the

　　Cat. "What are you going to do?" The Fox thought first of one

　　way, then of another, and while he was debating the hounds came

　　nearer and nearer, and at last the Fox in his confusion was caught

　　up by the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen. Miss Puss, who

　　had been looking on, said:

　　"Better one safe way than a hundred on which

　　you cannot reckon."