Page 110 - Lavender-B-5

Cats and mice are natural-born enemies. But what happens when they become friends?
Let’s read the story to find out.

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.

‘But we must make a provision for winter, or else we shall suffer from hunger,’ said the
cat; ‘and you, little mouse, cannot venture everywhere, or you will be caught in a trap
some day.’

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: ‘I 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.’

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: ‘I 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

today, and you look after the house by yourself.’

‘Yes, yes,’ answered the mouse, ‘by all means go, and if you get anything very good to
eat, think of me. I should like a drop of sweet red
christening wine myself.’ acquaintance: a relationship or connection
between two individuals who know each other
at length: after a long time
All this, however, was untrue; the cat had no keep house: do the cooking, cleaning, and
cousin, and had not been asked to be godmother. other tasks involved in the running of a
household
She went straight to the church, stole to the pot of provision: an arrangement made in advance
fat, began to lick at it, and licked the top of the fat to ensure there is enough food or supplies for
a particular period
venture: undertake a risky or daring journey
or course of action
fat: (in olden times) a solid or liquid
substance obtained from animals and used in
cooking
consideration: careful thought or thinking
about a matter
altar: a raised structure or platform in a
religious setting where offerings are made
yearning: a strong desire or longing for
something
font: (in a church) a large bowl for holding
water to perform rituals
christening: a religious ceremony in which a
baby is given a name and made a member of
the Christian Church
stole: moved somewhere quietly

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