` Ah , yes , you are the person I want , ' said the fox ; ` but come near , so that I may get on your back , without wetting my feet . ' So the salmon swam close under the island , and when he was touching it the fox seized him in his claws and drew him out of the water , and put him on a spit , while he kindled a fire to cook him by . When everything was ready , and the water in the pot was getting hot , he popped him in , and waited till he thought the salmon was nearly boiled . But as he stooped down the water gave a sudden fizzle , and splashed into the fox 's eyes , blinding him . He started backwards with a cry of pain , and sat still for some minutes , rocking himself to and fro . When he was a little better he rose and walked down a road till he met a grouse , who stopped and asked what was the matter . ` Have you a pair of eyes anywhere about you ? ' asked the fox politely . ` No , I am afraid I have n't , ' answered the grouse , and passed on . A little while after the fox heard the buzzing of an early bee , whom a gleam of sun had tempted out . ` Do you happen to have an extra pair of eyes anywhere ? ' asked the fox . ' I am sorry to say I have only those I am using , ' replied the bee . And the fox went on till he nearly fell over an asp who was gliding across the road . ' I should be SO glad if you would tell me where I could get a pair of eyes , ' said the fox . ' I suppose you do n't happen to have any you could lend me ? ' ` Well , if you only want them for a short time , perhaps I could manage , ' answered the asp ; ` but I ca n't do without them for long . ' ` Oh , it is only for a very short time that I need them , ' said the fox ; ' I have a pair of my own just behind that hill , and when I find them I will bring yours back to you . Perhaps you will keep these till them . ' So he took the eyes out of his own head and popped them into the head of the asp , and put the asp 's eyes in their place .
As he was running off he cried over his shoulder : ` As long as the world lasts the asps ' eyes will go down XXXXX the heads of foxes from generation to generation . '
So about as behind for if in that till without