Korean Folktale : The Cunning Fox and the Farmer

🦊 Korean Folktale Series 62

“The Cunning Fox and the Farmer”
(꾀 많은 여우와 농부 · Kkwe Manheun Yeou-wa Nongbu)

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🕰️ 1. The Story

Once upon a time, in a peaceful village surrounded by green hills, there lived a kind but simple farmer named Jin-ho. He worked hard every day, tending his fields and caring for his animals. Near his farm lived a clever fox, known among the villagers for its sly tricks and silver tongue.

One autumn evening, the fox crept into Jin-ho’s chicken coop and stole a hen. The next morning, Jin-ho discovered the feathers scattered across the yard. Angered, he set a trap near the coop, hoping to catch the thief.

That night, the fox returned, sniffing carefully around the trap. Seeing it, the fox chuckled.

“You think you can fool me, human? I’ve outsmarted many like you.”

But Jin-ho, having watched from the shadows, called out,

“If you’re so clever, let’s make a deal instead of stealing!”

The fox, intrigued, tilted its head.

“A deal?”

“Yes,” said Jin-ho. “Help me catch the wild boar that destroys my crops, and I’ll give you food every day.”

The fox thought for a moment, then agreed. The next day, it led Jin-ho deep into the forest where the boar often came to feed. Working together, they set a clever snare, and by nightfall, the boar was caught. Jin-ho kept his promise, leaving food for the fox each morning.

But as time passed, greed grew in the fox’s heart. One night, it crept back into the chicken coop, thinking,

“He won’t notice just one hen missing.”

When Jin-ho discovered the loss, he sighed sadly.

“I trusted you, my friend. Why trade honesty for hunger?”

The fox hung its head in shame. It tried to speak, but no words came. From that night on, the fox disappeared into the woods, never to be seen again.

Still, villagers sometimes heard its cry echoing in the valley — not of pride, but of regret.

And so, people in the village often said,

“Even the cleverest lose their wisdom when greed blinds the heart.”

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🪄 2. Meaning & Lessons

▪️ Trust is a precious bond — once broken, it cannot easily return.
▪️ Cleverness without honesty brings sorrow, not success.
▪️ True wisdom lies in knowing when enough is enough.

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👀 3. Reflections in Life

▪️ Greed turns the sharpest mind into its own trap.
▪️ Relationships built on honesty outlast those built on cunning.
▪️ A clever tongue cannot hide a guilty heart.

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🌏 4. Similar Tales Around the World

Japan — The Fox and the Woodcutter
A fox disguises itself to deceive a man, only to learn that lies destroy trust and peace.

China — The Tale of the Crafty Fox Spirit
A clever fox who tricks humans eventually learns humility after losing a true friend.

Germany — The Wolf and the Shepherd (Aesop’s Fables)
A deceitful wolf who pretends to help ends up trapped by his own greed.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Cleverness without honesty is like a lantern without light.”

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📌 Note
This is creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission. Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.