Cat and Mouse in Partnership (Grimm)
Division into chapters is editorial.
The partnership begins and the stored provision
A cat made the acquaintance of a mouse and spoke so persuasively about their potential friendship that the mouse eventually agreed to live together and keep house.
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
The cat suggested they make provision for winter to avoid hunger, warning that the mouse could not venture everywhere safely or risk being caught in a trap.
Following this good advice, they bought a pot of fat but struggled to find a safe storage place. After much consideration, the cat proposed hiding it in the church beneath the altar, reasoning that no one would dare steal from such a sacred place. They agreed to touch it only when truly in need. The pot was placed safely, but soon the cat developed a great yearning for it.
First deception: the godchild named Top-off
The cat told the mouse that her cousin had brought a son into the world and asked her to be godmother. She described the child as white with brown spots and claimed she needed to hold him over the font at christening. The mouse agreed to let her go and manage the house alone, asking for some sweet red christening wine if possible.
All this, however, was untrue; the cat had no cousin, and had not been asked to be godmother. She went straight to the church, stole to the pot of fat, began to lick
She licked the top of the fat off, then took a walk upon the town roofs, stretched herself in the sun, and licked her lips whenever she thought of the pot. When she returned home that evening, the mouse inquired about the child's name. The cat coolly replied "Top off!" The mouse found this very odd and uncommon, wondering if it was usual in the cat's family. The cat dismissed her concerns, comparing it to names like "Crumb-stealer" that the mouse's godchildren might have.
Second deception: the godchild named Half-done
Before long, the cat was seized by another fit of longing. She asked the mouse to manage the house alone once more, claiming she was again asked to be godmother. This time she described a child with a white ring around its neck, making refusal impossible. The good mouse consented, but the cat crept behind the town walls to the church and devoured half the pot of fat.
Nothing ever seems so good as what one keeps to oneself, said she, and was quite satisfied with her day's work.
When she returned home, the mouse asked about this child's christening name. The cat answered "Half-done." The mouse exclaimed in disbelief, declaring she had never heard such a name in her life and wagering it was not in the calendar.
Third deception: the godchild named All-gone
The cat's mouth soon began to water for more licking. Declaring that "all good things go in threes," she claimed to be asked to stand godmother again. She described a completely black child with only white paws, explaining this happened only once every few years. The mouse responded thoughtfully, listing the strange names: "Top-off! Half-done!" and noting how odd they were, making her very thoughtful. The cat dismissed her concerns, suggesting she was filled with fancies from staying home in her dark-grey fur coat.
During the cat's absence, the mouse cleaned and organized the house. Meanwhile, the greedy cat entirely emptied the pot of fat.
When everything is eaten up one has some peace, said she to herself, and well filled and fat she did not return home till night.
The mouse immediately asked what name had been given to the third child. The cat replied that it would not please her more than the others - "All-gone." The mouse cried out that this was the most suspicious name of all, having never seen it in print. She shook her head, curled herself up, and lay down to sleep, wondering what "All-gone" could mean.
Winter arrives: discovery of betrayal and the mouses fate
From this time forth, no one invited the cat to be godmother. When winter came and nothing could be found outside, the mouse remembered their provision and suggested they go to their stored pot of fat to enjoy it. The cat agreed, remarking that the mouse would enjoy it as much as sticking her dainty tongue out the window. They set out, but when they arrived, the pot was certainly still in its place but completely empty.
Alas! said the mouse, now I see what has happened, now it comes to light! You are a true friend! You have devoured all when you were standing godmother.
The mouse realized the truth, connecting the names to the cat's deception: "First top off, then half done, thenâ" The cat angrily told her to hold her tongue, threatening to eat her too if she said one more word.
All gone was already on the poor mouse's lips; scarcely had she spoken it before the cat sprang on her, seized her, and swallowed her down.
Verily, that is the way of the world.