The hare instantly offered her services , but the bear took care to ask her to give him a proof of her talents , before he accepted them . ` Pu , pu , pu , pum , poh , ' piped the hare ; but this time her voice was so small that the bear could hardly hear her . ` That is not what I want , ' he said , ' I will bid you good morning . ' It was after this that the fox came up , and he also was struck with the bear 's altered looks , and stopped . ` What is the matter with you , godfather ? ' asked he , ` and where are you going ? ' ' I am going to find a mourner for my wife , ' answered the bear . ` Oh , do choose me , ' cried the fox , and the bear looked at him thoughtfully . ` Can you howl well ? ' he said . ` Yes , beautifully , just listen , ' and the fox lifted up his voice and sang weeping : ` Lou , lou , lou ! the famous spinner , the baker of good cakes , the prudent housekeeper is torn from her husband ! Lou , lou , lou ! she is gone ! she is gone ! ' ` Now at last I have found some one who knows the art of lamentation , ' exclaimed the bear , quite delighted ; and he led the fox back to his cave , and bade him begin his lament over the dead wife who was lying stretched out on her bed of grey moss . But this did not suit the fox at all . ` One can not wail properly in this cave , ' he said , ` it is much too damp . You had better take the body to the storehouse . It will sound much finer there . '
So the bear carried his wife 's body to the storehouse , while he himself went back to the cave XXXXX cook some pap for the mourner .
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