However, the fox bid him be of good cheer, and said, ’I will help you; lie down there, stretch yourself out quite stiff, and petend to be dead.

’The horse did as he was told, and the fox went straight to the lion who lived in a cave close by, and said to him, ‘A little way off lies a dead horse; come with me and you may make an excellent meal of his carcase.’

The lion was greatly pleased, and set off immediately; and when they came to the horse, the fox said, ‘You will not be able to eat him comfortably here; I'll tell you what – I will tie you fast to his tail, and then you can draw him to your den, and eat him at your leisure.’

This advice pleased the lion, so he laid himself down quietly for the fox to make him fast to the horse.

But the fox managed to tie his legs together and bound all so hard and fast that with all his strength he could not set himself free.

When the work was done, the fox clapped the horse on the shoulder, and said, ‘Jip! Dobbin! Jip!’

Then up he sprang, and moved off, dragging the lion behind him.

The beast began to roar and bellow, till all the birds of the wood flew away for fright; but the horse let him sing on, and made his way quietly over the fields to his master's house.

‘Here he is, master,’ said he, ‘I have got the better of him:’ and when the farmer saw his old servant, his heart relented, and he said, ‘Thou shalt stay in thy stable and be well taken care of.’

And so the poor old horse had plenty to eat, and lived - till be died.