The Fox and The Rooster

Anybody heard of the story of the Cock (Rooster) and the Fox? A long time ago, there was a Fox that loved to eat chicken. He could trap hens that strayed from the farms and have a good meal. He had one problem though - The Cock. With its blood red wattle and comb, is looked like it was always carrying a ball of fire. The Fox naturally feared that The Cock could set its fur on fire at will with its ball of fire. So it stayed away and in fact any hens that moved in the company of the Cock were left alone by The Fox. This went on for some time.

Then one day, the Cock realized that every time he ran in to The Fox, it ran away with great fear leaving a trail of smelly excreta and pee in its wake. It was clear to The Cock that The Fox lived in great feat of him. He could not think of any reason why The Fox would be so scared of him. He (The Fox) was a much bigger animal with speed and multiple defence and offence tactics, how could he fear a small bird? He resolved to find out what it was all about and make peace. He also realized that it might actually put an end to the slaughter of the hens which he secretly suspected The Fox to be behind. So when they met the next time, the Cock made sure that the Fox stopped to talk.

Why do you fear me?
I don't, I am usually just in a rush, answered The Fox unconvincingly
For The Cock realized that every time he moved a little towards the Fox, he shook with fear and urinated and excreted in his own pants. He was making a great pretence of being comfortable. Many such meetings were held but always ended when the Cock had to crow. For whenever The Cock was done with the crowing, it would look around and lo! The Fox was gone.
The Cock decided to settle this once and for all by making one last diplomatic move. He invited The Fox to his home as a sign of sincere friendship. After much hesitation, The Fox decided to attend.
He was served pickled mushrooms – to enhance the appetite followed by mulligatawny soup. The Cock then served some light Pasta – to show off evidence of his wide travels. For the main dish were served ngege, ugali, sheep testicles (which The Cock had accidentally trampled over in the bush) with red wine.
The Fox loved the wine and drowned many a portion with glass after glass of wine. The Cock followed suit despite a strong warning from the hens that his body and mind could not tolerate a more than average consumption of alcohol. It did not take long for both Fox and Cock to loosen up.
The Fox gained the courage to ask The Cock a question that had been disturbing him for a long time.
“Friend”, started the Fox, “how do you manage to sleep in your bed without setting fire to the entire bed with your ball of fire?”
The Cock, after finding out what The Fox meant and realizing that he had discovered the source of all that strange behavior on the part of The Fox, could simply not hold his laughter at all. He laughed and laughed until his ribs ached. When he had calmed down, he told The Fox that indeed the wattle and the comb were not made of fire and that they were just red and completely harmless.
“So you mean even if I touch it, I would not burn in an instant?” asked the excited Fox
“Not at all”, answered the now drunk Cock “here, come and touch”
A still timid and apprehensive Fox moved slowly with heavy feet and with great caution extended his hand to touch the Cock’s head. Yes, he confirmed it was not dangerous. Now it was his turn to laugh at himself for his foolishness. It was late evening when he left The Cock’s home and staggered to his cave.
The next day, it was an entire skulk of Foxes that descended on the chicken home. They killed the Cock last. They wanted him to watch.