1. The poor horse was very melancholy, and wandered up and down in the wood, seeking some little shelter from the cold wind and rain. Presently a fox met him: "What’s the matter, my friend?" said he. "Why do you hang down your head and look so lonely and woe-begone?" "Ah!" replied the horse, "justice and avarice never dwell in one house; my master has forgotten all that I have done for him so many years, and because I can no longer work he has turned me adrift and says unless I become stronger than a lion he will not take me back again; what chance can I have of that? He knows I have none, or he would not talk so.
2. The fox listened with a cunning look in his eye, and then offered the horse a solution. "Do not despair, my friend," he said. "I have a plan that may just save you from your fate. Follow me, and I will lead you to a place where you can find food and shelter." The horse, desperate for any help he could get, agreed and followed the fox through the dark woods.
3. After a long journey, they came upon a farm where the fox told the horse to hide in a nearby barn. "Wait here until nightfall, and I will bring you some food and water," the fox promised. The horse settled in the barn, grateful for the warmth and protection from the elements.
4. That night, as the moon rose high in the sky, the fox returned with a feast for the horse. He brought fresh hay, oats, and a bucket of water, and the horse ate hungrily, feeling strength return to his weary bones. "Thank you, my friend," he said gratefully to the fox. "You have saved me from certain death."
5. "Do not thank me just yet," the fox replied with a sly grin. "I have a proposal for you. I know of a group of animals who are seeking a leader, someone strong and wise to guide them. With your size and strength, you would be the perfect candidate. Will you join me, and together we can build a new life for ourselves?"
6. The horse, filled with hope for the first time in days, agreed to the fox's proposal. They set off together, embarking on a new journey that would test their courage and cunning, but also bring them great rewards. And so, the horse and the fox became unlikely allies, facing the challenges of the world together and forging a bond that would last a lifetime.