The Cat and the Mouse

Once upon a time, a cat and a mouse were playing tag in an old barn. Round and round the hay bales they ran, until the cat reached out her paw and caught the mouse’s little red scarf. The scarf was a present from the mouse’s grandma, and she loved it very much. “Please, Puss, give me back my scarf,” squeaked the mouse. “Not until you bring me a bowl of milk,” said the cat, holding the scarf tight.

So the mouse ran to the cow. “Please, Cow, give me some milk for Puss, so Puss will give me back my scarf.” “First bring me some hay,” mooed the cow.

So the mouse ran to the farmer. “Please, Farmer, give me some hay for Cow, so Cow will give me milk for Puss, so Puss will give me back my scarf.” “First bring me some bread for my lunch,” said the farmer.

So the mouse ran to the baker. “Please, Baker, give me bread for Farmer, so Farmer will give me hay for Cow, so Cow will give me milk for Puss.” “And then Puss will give me back my scarf,” added the mouse. “I will give you bread if you promise never to nibble my flour sacks,” said the baker. “I promise!” said the mouse.

So the baker gave the mouse some bread, and the mouse carried it to the farmer. The farmer gave the mouse some hay, and the mouse carried it to the cow. The cow gave the mouse some milk, and the mouse carried it carefully, carefully, all the way back to the barn. Puss lapped up the milk and purred. “Here is your scarf, little mouse,” she said, “and I am sorry I took it.”

The mouse wrapped the scarf around her neck, and they played tag together until the sun went down. And the mouse kept her promise, and she never nibbled the baker’s flour again.