![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/ruralpearl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/grimm_catmouse.jpg\" "\\"Cat")
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8 x 10 inch paper cutting inspired by the Grimm Brothers tale below.<\/p>\n
Cat and Mouse in Partnership<\/p>\n
A certain cat had made the acquaintance of a mouse, and had said so much to her about the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at length the mouse agreed that they should live and keep house together. \u201cBut we must make a provision for winter, or else we shall suffer from hunger,\u201d said the cat, \u201cand you, little mouse, cannot venture everywhere, or you will be caught in a trap some day.\u201d The good advice was followed, and a pot of fat was bought, but they did not know where to put it. At length, after much consideration, the cat said, \u201cI know no place where it will be better stored up than in the church, for no one dares take anything away from there. We will set it beneath the altar, and not touch it until we are really in need of it.\u201d So the pot was placed in safety, but it was not long before the cat had a great yearning for it, and said to the mouse, \u201cI want to tell you something, little mouse; my cousin has brought a little son into the world, and has asked me to be godmother; he is white with brown spots, and I am to hold him over the font at the christening. Let me go out to-day, and you look after the house by yourself.\u201d \u201cYes, yes,\u201d answered the mouse, \u201cby all means go, and if you get anything very good, think of me, I should like a drop of sweet red christening wine too.\u201d All this, however, was untrue; the cat had no cousin, and had not been asked to be godmother. She went straight to the church, stole to the pot of fat, began to lick at it, and licked the top of the fat off. Then she took a walk upon the roofs of the town, looked out for opportunities, and then stretched herself in the sun, and licked her lips whenever she thought of the pot of fat, and not until it was evening did she return home. \u201cWell, here you are again,\u201d said the mouse, \u201cno doubt you have had a merry day.\u201d \u201cAll went off well,\u201d answered the cat. \u201cWhat name did they give the child?\u201d \u201cTop off!\u201d said the cat quite coolly. \u201cTop off!\u201d cried the mouse, \u201cthat is a very odd and uncommon name, is it a usual one in your family?\u201d \u201cWhat does it signify,\u201d said the cat, \u201cit is no worse than Crumb-stealer, as your god-children are called.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before long the cat was seized by another fit of longing. She said to the mouse, \u201cYou must do me a favour, and once more manage the house for a day alone. I am again asked to be godmother, and, as the child has a white ring round its neck, I cannot refuse.\u201d The good mouse consented, but the cat crept behind the town walls to the church, and devoured half the pot of fat. \u201cNothing ever seems so good as what one keeps to oneself,\u201d said she, and was quite satisfied with her day’s work. When she went home the mouse inquired, \u201cAnd what was this child christened?\u201d \u201cHalf-done,\u201d answered the cat. \u201cHalf-done! What are you saying? I never heard the name in my life, I’ll wager anything it is not in the calendar!\u201d<\/p>\n
The cat’s mouth soon began to water for some more licking. \u201cAll good things go in threes,\u201d said she, \u201cI am asked to stand godmother again. The child is quite black, only it has white paws, but with that exception, it has not a single white hair on its whole body; this only happens once every few years, you will let me go, won’t you?\u201d \u201cTop-off! Half-done!\u201d answered the mouse, \u201cthey are such odd names, they make me very thoughtful.\u201d \u201cYou sit at home,\u201d said the cat, \u201cin your dark-grey fur coat and long tail, and are filled with fancies, that’s because you do not go out in the daytime.\u201d During the cat’s absence the mouse cleaned the house, and put it in order but the greedy cat entirely emptied the pot of fat. \u201cWhen everything is eaten up one has some peace,\u201d said she to herself, and well filled and fat she did not return home till night. The mouse at once asked what name had been given to the third child. \u201cIt will not please you more than the others,\u201d said the cat. \u201cHe is called All-gone.\u201d \u201cAll-gone,\u201d cried the mouse, \u201cthat is the most suspicious name of all! I have never seen it in print. All-gone; what can that mean?\u201d and she shook her head, curled herself up, and lay down to sleep.<\/p>\n
From this time forth no one invited the cat to be god-mother, but when the winter had come and there was no longer anything to be found outside, the mouse thought of their provision, and said, \u201cCome cat, we will go to our pot of fat which we have stored up for ourselves\u2014-we shall enjoy that.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d answered the cat, \u201cyou will enjoy it as much as you would enjoy sticking that dainty tongue of yours out of the window.\u201d They set out on their way, but when they arrived, the pot of fat certainly was still in its place, but it was empty. \u201cAlas!\u201d said the mouse, \u201cnow I see what has happened, now it comes to light! You are a true friend! You have devoured all when you were standing godmother. First top off, then half done, then \u2014.\u201d \u201cWill you hold your tongue,\u201d cried the cat, \u201cone word more and I will eat you too.\u201d \u201cAll gone\u201d was already on the poor mouse’s lips; scarcely had she spoken it before the cat sprang on her, seized her, and swallowed her down. Verily, that is the way of the world.<\/p>\n