Chronicles in Latvian, Irish, Slovene, Basque and Araucarian tell us that Reynard was content to succor human beings, for he was a sleepless as well as a compassionate man. He preached to the mice scuttling and scattering before the rake-clawed cat, he bade the cat spitting at the strong-jawed German shepherd to suffer and be still, he comforted young rabbits quivering yet frozen in the rutted path as coach or cart came lumbering toward them, he ministered to heatstruck pilot whales led by their hunger up strange creeks, he brought the lost sheep home.

Among such beasts he gave a name to fear. Though many authorities do not concur, some have called this a mixed blessing.

~ Laurence Davies @ Contrary