The Mink was such a great thief that at last the
animals held a council about the matter. It was decided to burn him,
so they caught the Mink, built a great fire, and threw him into it. As
the blaze went up and they smelt the roasted flesh, they began to
think he was punished enough and would probably do better in the
future, so they took him out of the fire. But the Mink was already
burned black and is black ever since, and whenever he is attacked or
excited he smells again like roasted meat. The lesson did no good,
however, and he is still as great a thief as ever.
