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Lalanne, Jean-Bernard (French, b. 1952) Le Renard, le Loup, et le Cheval Oil on canvas, 18" x 13" , Signed, inscribed verso A fox seeing a horse for the first time, grazing in a field, at once ran to a wolf of his acquaintance, and described the animal that he had found. “It is, perhaps,” said the fox, “some delicious prey that fortune has put in our path. Come with me, and judge for yourself.” Off they ran, and soon came to the horse, who, scarcely lifting his head, seemed little anxious to be on speaking terms with such suspicious-looking characters. “Sir,” said the fox, “your humble servants here would with pleasure learn the name by which you are known to your illustrious friends.” The horse, who was not without a ready wit, said his name was there curiously written upon his hoofs for the information of those who cared to read it. “Gladly would I,” replied the sly fox, suspecting in an instant something wrong, “but my parents were poor, and could not pay for my education; hence, I never learned to read. The friends of my companion here, on the contrary, are great folk, and he can both read and write, and has a thousand other accomplishments.” The wolf, pleased with the flattery, at once went up, with a knowing air, to examine one of the hoofs which the horse raised for his convenience; and when he had come near enough, the horse gave a sudden and vigorous kick, and back to earth fell the wolf. “Well, cousin,” cried the fox, with a grin, “you need never ask for the name a second time, now that you have it written so plainly just below your eyes.” Based on Aesop’s fable “The Fox, the Wolf, and the Horse,” the story serves as a cautionary tale that friends may turn on you.