so he made one excuse after another , but the wolf , who was getting more and more suspicious every moment , would not listen to him . so , as he had not courage to tell the truth , he was forced at last to swear an oath also , and this was what he swore : " if it be that i stole the butter ; if it be , if it be-- then let some most deadly punishment fall on me , fall on me-- whirrum wheeckam , whirrum wheeckam , whirram whee , whirram whee ! "
he did not have the courage to tell the truth .
why did the fox swear an oath ?
why did the fox swear an oath ?