The Fox's City

US ENGLISH
EDITION
TUULA PERE • ANDREA ALEMANNO
The Fox's City
WickWick

The Fox's City
Story by Tuula Pere
Illustrations by Andrea Alemanno
Layout by Peter Stone
English translation by Mirka Pohjanrinne
Edited in US English by Susan Korman
ISBN 978-952-325-695-8 (ePub)
ISBN 978-952-325-195-3 (Print)
First edition
Copyright © 2016 Wickwick Ltd
Published 2016 by Wickwick Ltd
Helsinki, Finland
Printed in EU
Originally published in Finland by Wickwick Ltd in 2016
Finnish “Ketun kaupunki”, ISBN 978-952-325-194-6 (Print), ISBN 978-952-325-694-1 (ePub)
US English “The Fox's City”, ISBN 978-952-325-195-3 (Print), ISBN 978-952-325-695-8 (ePub)
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US ENGLISH
EDITION
The Fox’s City
Tuula Pere • Andrea Alemanno
W
ickWick
Children’s Books from the Heart
1

A
young fox called Francis liked to roll stones down the
mountainside towards the city. From a rocky ledge, he
watched the view that opened up before him, making big
plans for his future.
“When I get older, I will move to the city,” Francis decided.
“My home village is way too small for a grand talent like
me!”
Indeed, Francis was a fox quite unlike any other. He had a
sharp look, a keen sense of smell, and a quick wit. But he
lacked many important qualities. For one thing, he couldn’t
imagine how other animals felt. And even if he could have
imagined others’ feelings, it’s doubtful he would have cared
about them very much.
“One day that city and the whole world will get to see what
I’m made of,” he boasted. Then he pushed down a stone—one
bigger than ever before.
2

3

4
At home, there were seven cubs, and Francis was the middle one. His parents
took good care of the whole litter and loved all their young ones equally. Francis,
however, felt that he didn’t get enough food or attention. Above all, he thought
he didn’t have enough toys, clothes, or other things.

“But Francis, you don’t need much more,” his mother often sighed. “Your closets
and drawers are already crammed. I don’t think you even remember all the things
you have.”
“But, Mother, I must have a faster bike,” the young fox insisted. “I want to defeat my
brothers and sisters in a bike race. Then I’ll beat all the children of the village!”
5

Day by day, the mother fox grew a little more worried. She finally called on
Doctor Owl. The animals of the mountain village often sought his advice.
“I don’t know what to do,” Mother Fox lamented. “Francis is growing more difficult
every day. At first, he used to bully only small children. He’d take their toys and
their snacks, but now he’s going at everyone.”
6

“Aren’t the bigger children fighting back?” Doctor Owl asked. “The bear brothers are
so strong. You’d think Francis would be careful not to make them angry!”
“My dear owl friend, I’m afraid you don’t understand. Francis has become quite sly.
The other children don’t always notice how he gets his way.”
7

Indeed, there hardly existed a trickster smarter than Francis. His animal playgroup
went completely haywire because of the stunts he pulled.
As Francis grew slyer, the way the children played together changed. No more hideand-seek
or ball games, or putting up tree houses or building little dams in the
brook. Francis divided the children into two teams. He picked the biggest, fastest,
and most skilled children for his own team. The other side was left with the smallest,
weakest, and slowest children.
8

At first, the other animal children tried to resist him, but little by little, they
submitted to his will. Eventually everyone wanted to be on Francis’s team, as it
always won and took all the prizes.
If anyone tried to go up against him, he easily broke them down. His opponents were
in for unpleasant surprises, like a mysteriously deflated bike tire or a damaged tree
house. Sometimes castles in the sandbox were trampled down by someone wearing
big boots. The footprints were exactly the same size as the playgroup leader’s shoes,
but no one could accuse her, could they?
9

10

The mild winds of spring were replaced by the scorching summer sun, and bit by
bit, the autumn rains gave way to the fierce storms of winter. Then it was spring
again. Francis was no longer a young fox boy but a grown-up now. He studied his
image in the full-length mirror, pleased with what he saw. Standing upright, he
puffed out his chest and lifted his chin slightly.
“It’s time for me to leave the den,” Francis announced. “I will head to the big city by
the sea.”
“Take good care of yourself, dear son,” his mother said, quickly wiping away her
tears. “And don’t forget us here in your home village.”
“Bye then!” Francis called out cheerily and set off. His mind was already on all the
new opportunities and adventures that awaited him, and he didn’t even look back.
11

When Francis was close to the big city, he sat down on a stone for a while. He
picked up a leaf and rubbed his boots till they shone, and wiped away dust
from his fur. It was important to look neat, as he was planning to apply for a job
in the mayor’s office. Surely old William the Wolf would have use for such a clever
young assistant! Francis was definitely someone who could make things happen.
The old wolf had been a mayor for a long time already. Under his leadership, the city
by the sea had grown and developed. The inhabitants were very pleased.
Now, in his shiny boots, Francis stepped inside William the Wolf’s office, and offered
his services.
“I guess it’s true that I am getting a bit old and a bit tired,” admitted the wolf mayor.
“Quite so, quite so,” Francis agreed. “I’m sure a little vacation on a secluded island
would do you good. Meanwhile I can take care of all the city affairs.”
“Perhaps you are right. Erasmus, who works in the city library, will act as your
guide. He’s been my trusted friend ever since I can remember,” William the Wolf
said. “We can use the carrier pigeons to keep in contact.”
Francis privately sneered at this. There were going to be a lot of changes in the city,
and in Francis’s plans, there was certainly no room for any librarians or carrier
pigeons.
12

13

14
The old wolf mayor walked slowly towards the boat waiting for him. He could
already picture the relaxing days ahead on the peaceful island. At last, he would
have all the time in the world to go fishing and rest in a hammock afterwards,
admiring the evening sun.

The residents of the city had gathered along the street
to wave good-bye to the wolf, who had never before
taken any long leave from his job. William waved at both sides of the street, smiling
at everyone.
The van loaded with the mayor’s luggage was approaching the harbor too. Francis
walked briskly ahead of the van. With his chin slightly lifted, he gazed at the folk,
imagining what it would be like if they had all come there for him. That day would
come, too.
15

16

After the mayor’s departure, Francis went back to City Hall. He marched straight
into the mayor’s empty office and sat down on an office chair with a high back.
After a moment of consideration, he started insistently ringing the bell on his desk.
“What on earth took you so long?” Francis snapped at the clerk and all the office
assistants who rushed into the room, alarmed. “You’re not here for fun. You’re here
to work! We have loads of things to do, so take out your notebooks.”
The assistants hurriedly jotted down all the commands and plans, one after another.
The clerk forwarded papers and instructions all around City Hall. He also attached
messages to the carrier pigeons’ feet to be delivered farther away.
“How hopelessly slow and old-fashioned!” Francis snorted at the clerk. “We must get
rid of the pigeons. We shall need at least a dozen well-trained hawks to replace them.
Order them from the mountains at once.”
“But the carrier pigeons are important. With their help, we can keep in touch with
the mayor!” The clerk chimed in, but the fox wasn’t listening.
17

A
couple of days later, a carrier pigeon brought the first message
from the island.
Dear Francis:
My holiday has started off nicely. I’ve caught
a lot of fish and the winds are gentle. Please
remember to take good care of the city and its
inhabitants. Should you have any questions,
you can always turn to my good friend
Erasmus. If there’s anything urgent, just send
out a carrier pigeon with a message, and I will
come back as soon as possible.
With sunny regards to all.
Your very own city mayor,
William the Wolf
18

Francis glanced through the message hastily, scrunched it into a ball, and tossed it
into the trash. A new plan was brewing in his mind. To execute it, he would have
to get a couple of birdcages, some traps, and lots of delicious bird food. On top of it
all, he would have to find a peaceful place, where nobody went.
Spinning in his office chair, the fox suddenly noticed the upper windows of the
library, which was opposite City Hall. Was that an attic . . . ?
Actually, Francis thought smugly. Tomorrow is the right time to pay a visit to
Erasmus.
19

In the morning, Erasmus stood on the library steps, waiting to meet the mayor’s
substitute. He was somewhat surprised by the fox’s sudden interest in the library,
but he obediently showed the fox around the building, all the way from the basement
to the attic.
“I think I should have a key to the library, too,” Francis declared at the end of the
tour. “I am, after all, the mayor’s substitute, and I should have access to the library
whenever I need it.”
“I guess so. If you feel it’s necessary,” Erasmus murmured. He gave Francis a spare
key.
The following night, a dark figure hurried up and down the library steps, carrying
bird traps and cages and bags full of bird food. From the ground, nobody noticed
that some of the attic windows had been opened. Nor did they see the trail of grains
and other bird treats near the windowsills, leading directly to the traps and cages.
In just a few days, all of the city’s carrier pigeons had been locked away in the library
attic.
20

21

22

The city’s soccer team was getting ready for a major game. Erasmus was the treasurer
of the club, and he had come to meet with the fox to talk about arrangements.
The city bustled with preparations: getting the soccer stadium ready, making
rooms available to accommodate visitors, cooking food for the crowds, and decorating
the streets.
“We have to win this game!” declared the fox. “Oh, what a spectacular party
we’ll then have to celebrate our victory. I shall give an inspirational speech,
standing on a high podium. What a shame, though, that the visiting team is
in such a good condition.”
“But isn’t continuing the old tradition what really counts?” Erasmus tried to
calm the fox down. He, too, was a great fan of soccer, but he knew how to
enjoy the game even without winning.
“Of course not!” The fox snorted. “What
counts is to get a landslide victory and the
biggest possible trophy. That’s how we take
home all the glory.”
23

Erasmus shook his head and returned to the peace and quiet of the library. The
fox was left alone, making his high-flying plans and stopping at nothing.
The temporary city mayor issued an order that the visiting team must conduct its
pregame training at a small sports facility located at the outskirts of the town. The
building’s water pipes were being renovated, and the grass field was also under repair.
24

As for the home team, the fox placed them in a shiny new sports hall just next to
the newly fixed stadium. To guarantee the team’s success, he added six coyotes
from a nearby city who were known for their aggressive play. According to the rules,
all players were supposed to be permanent residents of their city’s team. So the new
mayor built barracks for the coyotes next to City Hall.
“Now no one has anything to complain about.” The fox smiled, pleased with himself.
“We have followed every rule strictly by the book.”
25

In the week before the match, the fox spent every minute planning the victory celebrations.
He didn’t want to waste any time sleeping or even eating. His fur got
matted; he had dark circles under his eyes; and his plans grew all the more bizarre.
“All city residents must wear matching outfits. Everyone will be given a new collar,
which will have the coat of arms of the city stamped on it.” The fox was very excited.
“Actually, instead of the coat of arms, it will have my picture! After all, I’m the
official acting mayor.”
26

It then occurred to the fox that all the residents should be called together for a
rehearsal, where they would learn some new cheers. On top of rooting for the
home team, the crowd could rehearse another cheer: “Long live the fox, our great
leader and friend of soccer!”
27

28

Erasmus was getting truly worried. He had tried to
adjust to the new mayor’s endless demands, but he
drew the line at the fox’s ridiculous plans for a victory celebration.
This is hardly the kind of party Mayor Wolf would want us
to have, Erasmus thought. I wonder if he even knows what’s
going on here.
The librarian sat alone in the silent library. Thanks to
the fox’s demands, no one had time to come to borrow
any books. As Erasmus mulled over the strange situation,
something caught his attention. The building
was not completely silent, after all. From somewhere
above, he could hear odd humming sounds. It was as
if a large kettle were boiling on the stove.
Erasmus went to search for the source of the sound.
He checked every room, one after another, and finally
took the stairs up to the attic. The sound was getting
louder. Now it sounded like cooing.
29

Erasmus pushed open the heavy door to the attic. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
The whole space was filled with caged carrier pigeons! The mayor’s pigeons were
among them, the city’s coat of arms hanging from collars around their necks.
“I’m starting to get the big picture!” Erasmus said. “I must send a carrier mail to the
old mayor quickly. This puts an end to his vacation.”
Soon an official carrier pigeon took wing from the window, heading towards the
holiday island. Erasmus hurried to feed the rest of the imprisoned birds and then he
yanked open the doors of all the cages.
Outside, city residents wondered why a flock of carrier pigeons was flying restlessly
over the library and City Hall.
30

31

32

William fumed. His holiday mood had vanished the moment he read the urgent
message from Erasmus. This was something he hadn’t expected, even though
he had to admit that the young fox had appeared somewhat overzealous.
“Let’s take our most important luggage to the boat and get going,” the old wolf said
to his wife. “Getting our city back on track can’t wait. I will have plenty of time to
go fishing later.”
By afternoon, the wolf leader was back in his office. He made his substitute sit in
front of his desk and demanded an explanation. The fox lavishly described all his
accomplishments, making every attempt to present his actions in a favorable light.
“Say what you like,” the wolf snapped. “You’ve become sick with power! It’s a bad
disease. I feel I should send you off to the island to get better.”
33

In the end, however, the wolf’s heart softened. The fox was allowed to watch the
final soccer match and sit next to the mayor in the grandstand. But the fox wasn’t
allowed to make any speeches, and all the city residents were free to wear their own
clothes.
The fox was annoyed to find out that the coyotes he had acquired as reinforcements
were not allowed to play for the home team. The wolf would not give in, no matter
how hard the fox tried to persuade him.
“In this city we play fair!” the old mayor declared. “But I’ve found something
for your coyotes to do. Look over there.”
34

35

36

The coyotes had run onto the field to give a gymnastic performance. Being so big
and broad-shouldered, they formed an impressive pyramid and had no trouble
in powerlifting each other.
Even though it was a spectacular show, Francis couldn’t quite hide his disappointment.
He would have rather seen the coyotes climb to the podium after the match,
with gold medals around their necks.
The young fox’s dreams were shattered to bits for good when the visiting
team won the tight match by one goal. The fox’s shoulders drooped.
“Come now, Francis, it’s just a game,” the old wolf consoled him.
“And next year, there will be another friendly match. Cooperating
and playing together is what really matters.”
37

Francis the Fox has great plans for the
future. Leaving his den behind, he marches to the
city in his shiny boots to meet the mayor, William the Wolf.
When the old wolf mayor goes on a fishing trip on a
deserted island, Francis talks him into letting Francis
serve as substitute mayor. But Francis’s greed for power
and actions quickly make city residents uneasy. There’s
something suspicious going on in the library attic, and the
city’s carrier pigeons have disappeared mysteriously.
Will Francis ruin the upcoming soccer match with a rival
team? And will it be a friendly match as always before?
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