The Heron and the Borrowed Bell

The heron borrowed a small brass bell from a goat who grazed beside the marsh. She hung it from a branch above her nest and told the other birds that she would ring it whenever the fox appeared.

The birds thanked her. Before then, news of danger had traveled slowly from reed bed to reed bed. Some heard too late; others took fright at rumors and abandoned their feeding grounds for no reason.

On the first morning the heron saw the fox crossing a distant hill. She rang the bell. Every bird in the marsh rose at once. Ducks scattered across the water, finches left their seeds, and a family of coots hid beneath the bank. The fox, who had been going somewhere else, looked down with interest.

On the second morning the heron saw a red tail behind a bush and rang again. It belonged to a squirrel. On the third, she rang because she heard rustling. It was the goat coming to ask for her bell.

“Not yet,” the heron said. “I have made everyone safer.”

The goat looked at the empty feeding grounds. “Have you?”

That afternoon the fox entered the marsh by the narrow causeway. The heron rang with all her strength. Most of the birds continued eating. The finches said it was probably another squirrel. The ducks said the heron enjoyed making a noise. Only the coots, who could see the fox for themselves, fled in time.

The heron dropped the bell and flew down to the causeway. She stood in the fox's path, spreading her wings. When he lunged, she lifted away and landed farther along. She led him toward the open meadow while the younger birds escaped into the reeds.

At dusk she returned the bell. Its clapper was bent. She offered to mend it before the goat went home.

“What will you do without a warning bell?” the goat asked.

“Watch the causeway,” said the heron. “And tell the birds where the danger is.”

The next morning, the birds agreed on a plan. Those nearest the causeway would call when the fox entered. Those farther away would pass on the place and direction, not just the alarm. The heron took the first watch.

A week later, the goat lent them the repaired bell. This time they rang it only when the danger reached the marsh. When it sounded, every bird knew where to fly.