Bowser the Hound . There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby . His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil . He is crafty , is Blacky . But these same things are true of Reddy Fox . No one ever yet had a chance to accuse Reddy Fox of lacking in sharp wits . Mistakes he makes , as everybody does , but Reddy 's wits are always keen and active . Now Reddy knew perfectly well that Blacky wanted something of him , and this was why he was saying such pleasant things . Blacky the Crow knew that Reddy knew this thing , and that if he would make use of Reddy as he hoped to , he must contrive to keep Reddy wholly in the dark as to what he wanted done . So as they sat there , Reddy Fox on the snow with his tail curled around his feet to keep them warm , and Blacky the Crow in the top of a little tree above Reddy 's head , they were playing a sort of game . It was red wits against black wits . Reddy was trying to outguess Blacky , and Blacky was trying to outguess Reddy , and both were enjoying it . People with sharp wits always enjoy matching their wits against other sharp wits . When Reddy Fox said that in spite of his fine appearance he had forgotten when last he had had a good meal , Blacky pretended to think he was joking . `` You surprise me , '' said he . `` Whatever is the matter with my good friend Reddy , that he goes hungry when he no longer has anything to fear from Bowser the Hound . By the way , I saw Bowser the other day . '' At this , just for an instant , Reddy 's eyes flew wide open . Then they half closed again until they were just two yellow slits . But quickly as he closed them , Blacky had seen that startled surprise .
`` Yes , '' said Blacky , `` I saw XXXXX the other day , or at least some one who looked just like him .
Blacky Bowser Forest Fox Reddy everybody feet flatterer use wonder