coming forward, and while they were making the bargain a wicked
thought darted into the tanuki's head, that if he got rid of the fox
there would be more food for him and his son. So as he put the
money in his pocket he whispered softly to the buyer that the fox
was not really dead, and that if he did not take care she might run
away from him. The man did not need twice telling. He gave the
poor fox a blow on the head, which put an end to her, and the
wicked tanuki went smiling to the nearest shop.

In former times he had been very fond of his little son; but since he
had betrayed his wife he seemed to have changed all in a moment,
for he would not give him as much as a bite, and the poor little
fellow would have starved had he not found some nuts and berries
to eat, and he waited on, always hoping that his mother would
come back.

At length some notion of the truth began to dawn on him; but he
was careful to let the old tanuki see nothing, though in his own
mind he turned over plans from morning till night, wondering how
best he might avenge his mother.

One morning, as the little tanuki was sitting with his father, he
remembered, with a start, that his mother had taught him all she
knew of magic, and that he could work spells as well as his father,
or perhaps better. 'I am as good a wizard as you,' he said suddenly,
and a cold chill ran through the tanuki as he heard him, though he
laughed, and pretended to think it a joke. But the little tanaki stuck
to his point, and at last the father proposed they should have a
wager.