The Cunning Little Vixen
Synopsis

ACT I

Scene 1

It is a cool, spring night and a group of newly born forest animals are discovering their Slovakian forest home. The Gamekeeper (also known as the Forester) is heading home through the woods after a night drinking at a local tavern. He lays down and falls asleep. He is awoken by a young frog being chased by a small vixen. The gamekeeper captures a baby vixen and takes her home, vowing that his grandson and his friends will love her.

Scene 2

The next morning, the vixen is brought to the Gamekeeper’s small barnyard. She is berated bythe farm rooster (known as the cock) and the hens. She is also awkwardly come on-to by the Gamekeeper’s dog, Lapák. The Gamekeeper’s grandson, Pepík and his friend, Frantík, start to poke and hit the vixen with their sticks. The vixen retaliates, biting Pepík, and is subsequently tied to a stake in the middle of the yard. The vixen begins to dream of being a woman. Time passes and the vixen matures, shedding her baby clothes and growing into a strong, cunning young woman. She plans her escape. In the process, she kills the cock and his harem of hens, gets quick revenge on the two boys and escapes to the forest.

ACT II

Scene 1

Months later, the vixen has educated the other forest animals in the ways of socialism. They chase the mean, feared badger out of his den and move in.

Scene 2

The Gamekeeper is at Pasek’s Tavern, his usual haunt, with his mates the parson and the schoolteacher, Mr.Pásek and his irritated wife, Mrs. Pásková. It is the middle of the night and all three are drunk. The parson is getting ready to leave the village for a parish in the town of Straní. The gamekeeper picks on the schoolteacher for his infatuation with a local girl. Dawn begins to glow and the schoolmaster grabs his walking stick and staggers out while the parson grabs his cane and hobbles off. The Gamekeeper, still smarting from the escape of the vixen some months before, is goaded by Pásek into leaving.

Scene 3

On his way home, the parson mistakes a sunflower in a field for his would-be love, Terynka. Also on his way home, the parson recalls the great love of his life who deserted him for a butcher’s boy. Both reveries are rudely interrupted by two gunshots. It is the Gamekeeper who is sure he has seen the vixen. Perhaps he did…

Scene 4

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It is winter and the vixen is living in the former badger’s den. She has arrived at the time in her life where her body and instinct are starting to rule her. A young fox happens by and they are immediately attracted to each other. The fox runs off and leaves the vixen to contemplate life and love. The fox returns with the gift of a dead rabbit. He then pours his heart out, confessing his love for the vixen. They retreat into the badger’s den to follow their instincts. The owl, nosey old bird, sees them and alerts all of the forest. Time passes and the vixen emerges, pregnant. The fox insists that they get married. A joyful ceremony takes place. The vixen goes into labor and her first litter is born.

INTERMISSION

ACT III

Scene 1

Years later, Harašta, a less than ethical poacher, has discovered a dead rabbit. Just as he is about to pilfer it, the Gamekeeper catches him and warns him not to take the rabbit. Harašta reveals that he is going to marry Terynka. The Gamekeeper, believing that the vixen has killed the rabbit, puts the rabbit into a fox trap and heads off. Harašta heads the opposite direction, determined to catch the vixen to make a muff for his bride-to-be. The vixen, the fox, and their most recent litter are out for a play night. They see the trap and immediately are on alert. The vixen and the fox discuss all of the litters they have had and will have. They are interrupted by the return of Harašta. The fox hides with the children while the vixen leads Harašta on a chase. Sadly, clumsy Harašta finally manages to point his gun at the vixen and kills her. He skins off some of her fur for Terynka’s muff and leaves. The fox, his children, and some of the forest denizens who have heard the gunshot enter and take the vixen’s body out in a funereal cortége.

Scene 2

At Pasek’s Tavern, the Gamekeeper, aging and decidedly more feeble than before, is drinking with his friend the schoolmaster who is mourning the loss of Terynka to Harašta. The gamekeeper stands with difficulty to leave. The schoolmaster and Mrs. Pásková watch him go, concerned about his health.

Scene 3

In the forest, the Gamekeeper remembers courting his wife, their early love together and how so many moments of significance happened in the woods. He has found a new appreciation for the woods in his dotage. He drops his gun, his satchel and his hat and falls to the ground. He is surrounded by a new group of young animals, grandchildren of the original babies. The Gamekeeper dies, looking into the eyes of the granddaughter of his beloved vixen.

—Ken Cazan, Nov. 2025