The hare and the fox built themselves huts for the winter. The fox built an ice hut, and the hare built a bark hut. When spring came, the fox's hut melted, so she took over the hare's hut. Now homeless, the long-eared animal asked his friends for help. He goes to the goat and complains that the fox has taken his house. ‘Taken it? Oh, she'll get it from the goat,’ he says angrily and rushes to the hut, ready to gore the invader with his horns. But she tricks the goat into going into the cellar and locks him in. Even the formidable bear is unable to help: the clumsy animal, having sniffed the flowers, simply falls asleep on the doorstep. Only the rooster, waiting until nightfall and armed with a scythe, frightens the fox with his shadow so much that she runs away as fast as she can. As they say, or rather, as it is sung in the finale, ‘you will find protection in a good, loyal friend.’
