` The noise you are making is enough to break the drums of our ears . ' ' I am only prophesying good weather , ' said the cock ; ` for to-morrow is a feast day , and just because it is a holiday and a number of people are expected at the inn , the landlady has given orders for my neck to be wrung to-night , so that I may be made into soup for to-morrow 's dinner . ' ` I 'll tell you what , redcap , ' said the donkey ; ` you had much better come with us to the nearest town . You have got a good voice , and could join a street band we are getting up . ' The cock was much pleased with the idea , and the party proceeded on their way . But the nearest big town was a long way off , and it took them more than a day to reach it . In the evening they came to a wood , and they made up their minds to go no further , but to spend the night there . The donkey and the greyhound lay down under a big tree , and the cat and the cock got up into the branches , the cock flying right up to the topmost twig , where he thought he would be safe from all danger . Before he went to sleep he looked round the four points of the compass , and saw a little spark burning in the distance . He called out to his companions that he was sure there must be a house not far off , for he could see a light shining . When he heard this , the donkey said at once : ` Then we must get up , and go and look for the house , for this is very poor shelter . ' And the greyhound added : ` Yes ; I feel I 'd be all the better for a few bones and a scrap or two of meat . ' So they set out for the spot where the light was to be seen shining faintly in the distance , but the nearer they approached it the brighter it grew , till at last they came to a brilliantly lighted house . The donkey being the biggest of the party , went to the window and looked in . ` Well , greyhead , what do you see ? ' asked the cock . ' I see a well-covered table , ' replied the donkey , ` with excellent food and drink , and several robbers are sitting round it , enjoying themselves highly . ' ' I wish we were doing the same , ' said the cock . ` So do I , ' answered the donkey . ` Ca n't we think of some plan for turning out the robbers , and taking possession of the house ourselves ? '
So they consulted together what they were to do , and at last they arranged that the donkey should stand at the window with his fore-feet on the sill , that the greyhound should get XXXXX his back , the cat on the dog 's shoulder , and the cock on the cat 's head .
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