The Cat and the Mouse
Quick Answer
A mouse must run a chain of errands to get its tail back from a cat: milk from the cow, hay for the cow, and meat for the farmer. Step by step, the mouse completes the sequence and finally gets its tail back. A satisfying repetitive tale.
Why This Story Works for Bedtime
Repetitive ‘chain’ stories are soothing and predictable. Kids enjoy anticipating the next request, and the ending is neatly resolved.
Story at a Glance
RECOMMENDED AGES
3-6 years
READING TIME
3 min
Story Synopsis
A cat and a mouse play together until the cat catches the mouse’s tail and won’t let go. The mouse begs for it back. The cat agrees—only if the mouse brings milk. The mouse runs to a cow, but the cow wants hay first. The mouse runs to a farmer, but the farmer wants meat first. So the mouse keeps going, trading one helpful task for the next. At last, the mouse completes the chain: meat for the farmer, hay for the cow, milk for the cat. The cat finally releases the tail, and the mouse feels relief and pride. The story’s rhythm makes it perfect for bedtime—steady steps, one request at a time, until everything is put right.
Story Excerpt
A cat and a mouse were playing together. The cat gently caught the mouse’s tail and would not let it go. “ Please, Cat, may I have my tail back? ” asked the little mouse. “ First, ” said the cat, “ go to the cow and bring me some milk. ” So the mouse ran to the cow. “ Please, Cow, will you give me some milk? I will give the milk to the cat, and then the cat will give me my tail back. ” “ First, ” said the cow, “ go to the farmer and bring me some hay. ” So the mouse ran to the farmer. “ Please, Farmer, will you give me some hay? I will…
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In One Glance
The Cat and the Mouse is a repetitive folktale where the cat holds the mouse’s tail and demands milk in exchange. The mouse must complete a chain of requests—meat for the farmer, hay for the cow, milk for the cat—before the cat finally lets go. The pattern is predictable and ends safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
A mouse completes a chain of errands to trade for its tail.
No—there’s mild tension, but it’s gentle and ends well.
Ages 3–6.
Let your child echo the repeated word “First…” to keep a calm rhythm.