28 The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

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The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost came to ruin the very first time he ventured out. And this is the story he told his mother about his adventures. "I was strolling along very peaceably when, just as I turned the corner into the next yard, I saw two strange creatures. One of them had a very kind and gracious look, but the other was the most fearful monster you can imagine. You should have seen him.

The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

"On top of his head and in front of his neck hung pieces of raw red meat. He walked about restlessly, tearing up the ground with his toes, and beating his arms savagely against his sides. The moment he caught sight of me he opened his pointed mouth as if to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing roar that frightened me almost to death." Can you guess who it was that our young Mouse was trying to describe to his mother? It was nobody but the Barnyard Cock and the first one the little Mouse had ever seen.

The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

"If it had not been for that terrible monster," the Mouse went on, "I should have made the acquaintance of the pretty creature, who looked so good and gentle. He had thick, velvety fur, a meek face, and a look that was very modest, though his eyes were bright and shining. As he looked at me, he waved his fine long tail and smiled. "I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the monster I have told you about let out a screaming yell, and I ran for my life."

The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

My son," said the Mother Mouse, "that gentle creature you saw was none other than the Cat. Under his kindly appearance, he bears a grudge against every one of us. The other was nothing but a bird who wouldn't harm you in the least. As for the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you escaped with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by their looks."

THE END

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The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

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El Gato, el Gallo y el Joven Ratón

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"Si no hubiera sido por ese terrible monstruo", continuó el Ratón, "habría conocido a esa hermosa criatura, que tenía un aspecto tan bueno y gentil. Tenía un pelaje espeso y aterciopelado, un rostro manso y una mirada modesta, aunque sus ojos eran brillantes. Mientras me miraba, agitaba su larga y fina cola y sonreía. "Estoy seguro de que estaba a punto de hablarme cuando el monstruo del que te dije, dejó escapar un grito y corrí para salvar mi vida". "Hijo mío", dijo la Mamá Ratón, "esa gentil criatura que viste no era otra que el Gato. Bajo su amable apariencia, guarda rencor contra cada uno de nosotros. El otro no era más que un pájaro que no te haría daño en lo más mínimo, el Gato nos come. Así que agradece, hijo mío, que hayas escapado con vida y, mientras vivas, nunca juzgues a las personas por su apariencia.

Un Ratón muy joven, que nunca había visto nada del mundo, casi se cae en la ruina la primera vez que se aventuró a salir. Y esta es la historia que le contó a su madre sobre sus aventuras. "Estaba paseando muy tranquilamente cuando, justo doblaba la esquina hacia el siguiente patio, y vi dos extrañas criaturas. Una de ellas tenía una mirada muy amable y graciosa, pero la otra era el monstruo más temible que puedas imaginar, deberías haberlo visto. "En lo alto de su cabeza y delante de su cuello colgaban trozos de carne roja cruda. Caminaba inquieto, rasgando el suelo con los dedos de los pies y golpeándose salvajemente los costados con los brazos. En el momento en que me vio, abrió. su boca puntiaguda como para tragarme, y luego dejó escapar un rugido penetrante que me asustó casi hasta la muerte". ¿Puedes adivinar quién era el que nuestro joven Ratón intentaba describirle a su madre? No era nadie más que el Gallo de Corral y el primero que el ratoncito había visto.

FIN