those were better times when I used to paint all the birds such gay colours , ' sighed the fox . ` What are you saying , old fellow ? ' asked the bear . ` I ? Oh , I was saying nothing , ' answered the fox drearily . ` Just carry me to your cave and eat me up as quick as you can . ' The bear was silent , and thought of his supper ; and the two continued their journey till they reached another tree with a woodpecker tapping on it . ` Ah ! those were better times when I used to paint all the birds such gay colours , ' said the fox again to himself . ` Could n't you paint me too ? ' asked the bear suddenly . But the fox shook his head ; for he was always acting , even if no one was there to see him do it . ` You bear pain so badly , ' he replied , in a thoughtful voice , ` and you are impatient besides , and could never put up with all that is necessary . Why , you would first have to dig a pit , and then twist ropes of willow , and drive in posts and fill the hole with pitch , and , last of all , set it on fire . Oh , no ; you would never be able to do all that . ' ` It does not matter a straw how hard the work is , ' answered the bear eagerly , ' I will do it every bit . ' And as he spoke he began tearing up the earth so fast that soon a deep pit was ready , deep enough to hold him . ` That is all right , ' said the fox at last , ' I see I was mistaken in you . Now sit here , and I will bind you . ' So the bear sat down on the edge of the pit , and the fox sprang on his back , which he crossed with the willow ropes , and then set fire to the pitch .
It burnt up in an instant , and caught the bands of willow and the bear 's rough hair ; but he did not stir , XXXXX he thought that the fox was rubbing the bright colours into his skin , and that he would soon be as beautiful as a whole meadow of flowers .
as besides for if in of on that till to