Wrapping an arm around her, he knew when someone wasn't feeling good emotionally and physically. "Yeah, but it looked like you were having a nightmare. You know, whenever I got sick or became upset, my mother would always cheer me up with a fable," he chuckled a little, blushing at the memories, "even at the age of twenty nine. I'll tell you one to try and calm your nerves." It'd help get her mind off of her family long enough for her to sleep better. Pulling himself up onto the bed next to her, he sat against the head board and thought for a second. "ah, I've got the perfect one for it. It's called 'The Greedy Fox'. You'll like it."
He adjusted and began,
"There was a woman in Connemara, the wife of a fisherman; as he had always good luck, she had plenty of fish at all times stored away in the house ready for market. But, to her great annoyance, she found that a great fox used to come in at night and devour all the best and finest fish. So she kept a big stick by her, and determined to watch.
One day, as she and a woman were spinning together, the house suddenly became quite dark; and the door was burst open as if by the blast of the tempest, when in walked a huge red fox, who went straight up to the fire, then turned round and growled at them.
"Why, surely this is foxy," said a young girl, who was by, sorting fish.
"I will teach you reverence," said the fox; and, jumping at her, he scratched her arm till the blood came. "There, now," he said, "you will be more civil another time when a gentleman comes to see you." And with that he walked over to the door and shut it close, to prevent any of them going out, for the poor young girl, while crying loudly from fright and pain, had made a desperate rush to get away.
Just then a man was going by, and hearing the cries, he pushed open the door and tried to get in; but the fox stood on the threshold, and would let no one pass. On this the man attacked him with his stick, and gave him a sound blow. The fox, however, was more than a match in the fight, for it flew at him and tore his face and hands so badly that the man at last took to his heels and ran away as fast as he could.
"Now, it's time for my dinner," said the fox, going up to examine the fish that was laid out on the tables. "I hope the fish is good today. Now, don't disturb me, nor make a fuss; I can help myself."
With that he jumped up, and began to devour all the best fish, while he growled at the woman.
"Away, out of this, you furry beast," she cried, giving it a blow with the tongs.
But the fox only grinned, and went on tearing and spoiling and devouring the fish, evidently not a bit the worse for the blow. On this, both the women attacked it with sticks, and struck hard blow, they thought. But the fox glared at them and, making a leap, tore their heads and arms till the blood came, and the frightened women rushed shrieking from the house.
But the mistress returned, carrying with her a bottle of druid water. Looking in, she saw the fox still devouring the fish, and not minding. So she crept over quietly and threw druid water on it without a word. No sooner was this done than a dense black smoke filled the place. Nothing was seen but the two eyes of the fox, and they were burning like coals of fire. But when the smoke gradually cleared and disappeared, the fox had run away.
From that time the fish remained untouched and safe from harm, and the greedy fox was seen no more.
It wasn't the best story, but it was better than remembering Joel.
