The Foundling Fox

This is a story that will sadden and delight the hearts of children. A young fox is left alone and hungry when his mother is killed by a hunter. A mother fox with three kits is out on a hunt when she hears his whimpering. At first she is reluctant to get involved, but then she lies down and lets him suckle. After he is full and content, she goes to leave but cannot bring herself to leave him to the mercy of the forest. She picks him up and begins to move back to her den. However, a hunting hound picks up their scent and begins following them. Terrified, she runs as fast as she can, but the hound is gaining. Finally, she manages to encounter a stream that she runs across, which causes the hound to lose her scent. She then encounters a badger that wants to eat her new kit. After a fierce battle, the badger quits and she finally arrives back at her den. Her three kits are hungry and confused, but they quickly accept the new sibling and at the end of the story, the mother fox herself can no longer determine which of the four is the adopted kit. Some of the most frightening stories for children are those where a young animal is orphaned. This story begins with that premise, but there is a happy ending as the kit now has a new mother and family. That ending will help children understand that even the worst experiences can be survived and lead to happy endings.