A fox, a badger and a crane once got lost deep in the mountains in a dark gorge. Around them it became darker and darker and just when they were getting more and more despondent and didn’t know what to do, a winged deer creature with the hind legs of a bird appeared to them.

The fox and the badger, who immediately recognized the mystical creature as a peryton, asked it for advice without hesitation, since they had already heard of its foresight. The peryton recommended that they walk together for part of the way. In this way, they would soon get back on the right path.

The crane, however, did not want to listen to the peryton’s advice, nor did he want to join the others. Instead, he went his own way, which led him deeper and deeper into the mountains. The fox then became uncertain and thought about which direction to take – after all, he was already familiar with the crane.

The peryton noticed the fox’s concerns and took care of him. Instead of condemning him for his dithering, he listened patiently. After a brief exchange, the fox discarded his doubts and decided to follow the peryton.

So the peryton gave the way and the two forest animals followed his advice. After a short time they left the ravine and said goodbye as friends, telling each other at every possible opportunity about this wondrous journey. The crane, however, was never seen again and was eventually forgotten.