Atondido Stories
likely to trouble their heads about him. The owl flew quietly to a
tree hard by to watch what would happen, feeling so sure of
having the mouse for his dinner that he was in no hurry to catch
him.
The mouse, small and helpless though he was, was a wise
little creature. He saw the owl fly up into the tree, and knew
quite well that if he did not take care he would serve as dinner to
that great strong bird. He knew too that, if he went within reach
of the claws of the cat, he would suffer for it. "How I do wish,"
he thought to himself, "I could make friends with the cat, now
she is in distress, and get her to promise not to hurt me if ever
she gets free. As long as I am near the cat, the owl will not dare
to come after me." As he thought and thought, his eyes got
brighter and brighter, and at last he decided what he would do.
He had, you see, kept his presence of mind; that is to say, he did
not let his fright of the cat or the owl prevent him from thinking
clearly. He now ventured forth from amongst the barley, and
coming near enough to the cat for her to see him quite clearly,
but not near enough for her to reach him with her claws, or far
enough away for the owl to get him without danger from those
terrible claws, he said to the cat in a queer little squeaky voice:
"Dear Puss, I do not like to see you in such a fix. It is true we
have never been exactly friends, but I have always looked up to
you as a strong and noble enemy. If you will promise never to
do me any harm, I will do my best to help you. I have very sharp
teeth, and I might perhaps be able to nibble through the string
round your beautiful neck and set you free. What do you think
about it?"
When the cat heard what the mouse said, she could hardly
believe her ears. She was of course ready to promise anything to
anyone who would help her, so she said at once:
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