Fable – The Big Cat and the Little Mouse

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The Big Cat and the Little Mouse Yesterday Cat arrived, only to smell that the house was already occupied by Mouse. Although Cat was yet to have personal contact with mice, Cat had been taught throughout her several years of existence that any cat was the blood enemy of any mouse. So Cat warily looked about the place, hoping to spot Mouse before Mouse spotted her. Mouse, alerted to the presence of mortal enemy, Cat, remained hidden behind the cushion on the stuffed chair by the doorway to the larder. Mouse was wise to the ways of cats, and understood that there was no real substitute for hiding combined with constant alert observation. The situation was much like “spy vs. spy” made famous in history by reporters for Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine fame. All of a quick, Mouse had a super brainwave event. “Why, I can probably get this Cat gal plastered and all doped out. That will make my life both easier and longer. To the great outdoor garden I must go.” Mouse grabbed up a handy wicker basket and, when Cat was looking the other way, Mouse zipped on out the door and into the little herb garden that was greening out in the yard. Pickety, pickety, pickety... Into the basket went snips of wildly-growing Nepeta cataria (“catnip” to us who are of the unwashed class). “My word,” thought Mouse, “that catnip smells downright heavenly. I think I will try some of it myself.” Mouse ate the whole basket of catnip. When Mouse staggered back inside the house, Mouse did not care one whit if Cat spotted him or not. “That catnip really does the deal,” thought Mouse. In fact, he said that out loud, attracting the attention of Cat in another split second. Cat grabbed Mouse by the scruff of his little neck, and then Cat paused. “Gracious me, THIS mouse smells great. He smells nothing like mother and father cat described to us kitties back in our salad days. Well, bless my hide, this mouse is solid catnip, Nepeta at its best. I shall keep this treasure around and never share my golden mouse with anyone.” And that's how it was that big Cat became little Mouse's protector and friend. Moral: One drunk gets along with another drunk, especially so when the weaker of the two has all the whiskey. * * * * * * * * * * Image source – My Broderbund image DVD * * * * * * * * * *