Thus reassured, Henning had led his family out into the forest, where, alas!  Reynard was lurking, and where he killed all but five of Henning’s promising brood.  They had not only been killed, but devoured, with the exception of Scratch-foot, whose mangled remains were laid at the monarch’s feet in proof of the crime, as was customary in the mediaeval courts of justice.

The king, angry that his truce should thus have been broken, and sorry for the evident grief of the father, ordered a sumptuous funeral for the deceased, and commanded that a stone should be placed upon her grave, bearing the epitaph: 

“’Scratch-foot, daughter of Henning, the cock, the best of the hen
tribe. 
Many an egg did she lay in her nest, and was skillful in scratching. 
Here she lies, lost, alas! to her friends, by Reineke murdered. 
All the world should know of his false and cruel behavior,
As for the dead they lament.’  Thus ran the words that were
written.”

[Sidenote:  Reynard and the Bear.] Then the king, having taken advice with his council, solemnly bade Brown the bear proceed immediately to Malepartus, Reynard’s home, and summon him to appear at Reynard and court forthwith, to answer the grave charges which had been made against him.  But he warned his messenger to behave circumspectly and to beware of the wiles of the crafty fox.  The bear rather resented these well-meant recommendations, and, confidently asserting his ability to take care of himself, set out for Reynard’s abode.

On his way to the mountains he was obliged to pass through an arid, sandy waste, and reached Malepartus weary and overheated.  Standing before the fortress, which rejoiced in many labyrinthine passages, he loudly made known his errand; and when Reynard, peeping cautiously out, had ascertained that Brown was alone, he hastened out to welcome him.

With great volubility the fox commiserated his long journey, and excused the delay in admitting him under plea of an indisposition caused by eating too much honey, a diet which he abhorred.

At the mere mention of honey the bear forgot all his fatigue, and when his host lamented the fact that he had nothing else to offer him, he joyfully declared no food could suit him better, and that he could never get enough of it.

    “‘If that is so,’ continued the Red one, ’I really can serve you,
    For the peasant Ruesteviel lives at the foot of the mountain. 
    Honey he has, indeed, such that you and all of your kindred
    Never so much together have seen.’”

Oblivious of everything else at the thought of such a treat, Brown the bear immediately set out in Reynard’s company, and they soon came to the peasant’s yard, where a half-split tree trunk lay in full view.  Reynard then bade his companion thrust his nose well down into the hollow and eat his fill of honey.  As soon as he saw that the bear had thrust not only his nose, but both fore paws, into the crack, Reynard cleverly removed the wedges, the tree clapped together, and he left the bear a prisoner and howling with pain.