Cat and Mouse in Partnership - Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm

Reading time for children: 8 min

A cat had made the acquaintance of a mouse, and had said so much to her about the great love and friendship that he felt for her, that at last the mouse agreed that they should live and keep house together. „But we must make preparations for winter, or else we shall suffer from hunger,“ said the cat, „and you, little mouse, cannot venture out everywhere, or in the end you will be caught in a trap.“ This good advice was followed, and they bought a pot of fat, but they did not know where to store it.

Finally, after much consideration, the cat said, „I know of no place where it will be better stored up than in the church. No one dares take anything away from there. We will put it beneath the altar, and not touch it until we are need it.“ So the pot was stored safely away, but it was not long before the cat took a great longing for it, and said to the mouse, „I wanted to tell you, little mouse, that my cousin has brought a little son into the world, and she has asked me to be his godfather. He is white with brown spots, and I am to hold him over the baptismal font.

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 good to eat, think of me. I would like to drink a drop of sweet red christening wine myself.“ All this, however, was untrue. The cat had no cousin, and had not been asked to be godfather. He went straight to the church, crept up to the pot of fat, began to lick at it, and licked off the top of the fat. Then he went for a stroll on the roofs of the town, looked out for opportunities, and then stretched out in the sun, licking his whiskers whenever he thought of the pot of fat.

He did not return home until it was evening. „Well, here you are again,“ said the mouse. „You must have had a happy day.“ – „Everything went well,“ answered the cat. „What name did they give the child?“ asked the mouse. „Top-Off,“ said the cat quite coolly. „Top-Off?“ cried the mouse. „That is a very odd and uncommon name. Is it a usual one in your family?“ – „What does that matter?“ said the cat. „It is no worse than Crumb-Thief, as your godchildren are called.“

Before long the cat was seized by another fit of longing. He said to the mouse, „You must do me a favor, and once more manage the house alone for a day. I have been asked again to be godfather, and since the child has a white ring around its neck, I cannot refuse.“ The good mouse consented. However, the cat crept behind the town wall to the church, and devoured half the pot of fat. „Nothing tastes as good as that which one eats by oneself,“ he said, and was quite satisfied with his day’s work. When he arrived home the mouse asked, „What name was this child christened with?“

„Half-Gone,“ answered the cat. „Half-Gone? What are you saying? I have never heard that name in all my life. I’ll wager it is not in the almanac.“ The cat’s mouth soon again began to water for the delicious goods. „All good things come in threes,“ he said to the mouse. „I have been asked to be godfather again. The child is totally black, only it has white paws. Otherwise it has not a single white hair on its whole body. This only happens once every few years. You will let me go, won’t you?“ – „Top-Off. Half-Gone,“ answered the mouse. „They are such odd names, that they make me stop and think.“

„Here you sit at home,“ said the cat, „with your dark gray fur coat and long braid of hair capturing fantasies. That is because you do not go out in the daytime.“ During the cat’s absence the mouse cleaned the house, and put it in order, but the greedy cat devoured all the rest of the fat. „One has peace only after everything is eaten up,“ he said to himself. Well filled and fat, he did not return home until nighttime. The mouse immediately asked what name had been given to the third child. „You will not like it either,“ said the cat. „His name is All-Gone.“ – „All-Gone!,“ cried the mouse.

„That is the most worrisome name of all. I have never seen it in print. All-Gone! What can that mean?“ Then she shook her head, curled herself up, and lay down to sleep. From this time forth no one invited the cat to be godfather, but when winter had come and there was no longer anything to be found outside, the mouse thought of their stored food, and said, „Come cat, we will go to our pot of fat which we have stored up for ourselves. It will taste good now.“ – „Yes,“ answered the cat. „You will enjoy it as much as you would enjoy sticking that dainty tongue of yours out of the window.“

They set out on their way, but when they arrived, the pot of fat, to be sure, was still in its place, but it was empty. „Alas,“ said the mouse, „now I see what has happened. Now it comes to light. You are a true friend. You ate everything when you were serving as a godfather. First top off, then half done, then…“ – „Be quiet!“ cried the cat. „One more word, and I will eat you too.“ – „All gone,“ was already on the poor mouse’s lips. She had scarcely spoken it before the cat sprang on her, seized her, and swallowed her down. You see, that is the way of the world.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ is a German fairy tale collected and published by the Brothers Grimm in their famous book „Children’s and Household Tales“ (German: „Kinder- und Hausmärchen“), first published in 1812. The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, were German academics and linguists who collected and preserved traditional folk and fairy tales as part of their larger effort to document the German cultural heritage.

The tale is also known as „Katz und Maus in Gesellschaft“ in German and is categorized as Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) type 15. The ATU classification system is an international system used to categorize folktales based on their narrative elements and motifs. „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ is not as widely known as some of the other Grimm fairy tales, such as „Cinderella,“ „Snow White,“ or „Hansel and Gretel.“ However, it still carries essential moral lessons and themes, like many other folk and fairy tales.

The story features anthropomorphic animals, which is a common feature in folk and fairy tales worldwide. This use of animals allows the tale to convey complex themes and ideas more simply, and it helps to engage the audience, particularly children, as they can relate to the animal characters while also learning from the story’s moral lessons. The tale has roots in European folklore and has been passed down through generations, possibly dating back to the Middle Ages.

The story revolves around a cat and a mouse who decide to live together and form a partnership. To ensure they have enough food for the winter, they buy a pot of fat and hide it in a church. The cat, however, is cunning and deceitful. It tricks the mouse into letting it go to the church multiple times by making up various excuses, such as being invited to be a godfather at a baptism. Each time the cat goes to the church, it secretly eats some of the stored fat. Eventually, winter comes, and the mouse suggests that they retrieve the pot of fat to sustain themselves. When they arrive at the church, the mouse discovers that the pot is empty and realizes the cat’s deception. The cat then turns on the mouse and eats it, revealing its true nature.

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ is a simple tale that explores themes of trust, deception, and the consequences of placing trust in the wrong individuals. The story serves as a cautionary tale, warning readers of the dangers of trusting others too easily, especially when their intentions may not be genuine. It also highlights the cunning and deceptive nature of some animals, a common theme in many fables and fairy tales. The tale has been passed down through generations, likely originating from oral storytelling traditions that used animals to teach moral lessons and convey wisdom. Its themes of trust, deception, and cunning continue to resonate with audiences, making the story an enduring part of the fairy tale tradition.

Interpretations to fairy tale „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ offers several interpretations and themes, as it explores human behavior and moral lessons through the allegorical characters of a cat and a mouse. Some key themes and interpretations of the story include:

Trust and deception: The central theme of the story is the contrast between trust and deception. The mouse trusts the cat, believing that their partnership is genuine. However, the cat deceives the mouse by eating the stored fat and ultimately betraying its trust. The tale serves as a cautionary lesson about the dangers of trusting others too easily and the potential consequences of misplaced trust. The story also explores the themes of trust and friendship. The mouse naively believes in the cat’s lies and fails to recognize the warning signs, ultimately leading to its demise. This serves as a reminder to be cautious about who we trust and to recognize the potential for betrayal, even in seemingly close friendships.

Greed and selfishness: The cat’s actions are driven by greed and selfishness, as it consumes the stored fat without considering the mouse’s needs or the consequences of its actions. This theme warns readers about the potential harm caused by greed and the importance of considering the welfare of others. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of greed and deception. The cat’s insatiable desire for the fat leads it to deceive and ultimately betray its friend, the mouse. This highlights the destructive nature of greed and the importance of honesty in relationships.

Power dynamics: The tale can be interpreted as a reflection of power dynamics in society. The cat, being larger and more powerful, takes advantage of the mouse’s vulnerability and innocence. This can serve as a metaphor for how those in positions of power can exploit and oppress the weak or marginalized members of society.

The harshness of the world: The story concludes with the line, „You see, that is the way of the world,“ emphasizing the harsh and cruel nature of life. This suggests that individuals must be prepared to face difficult situations, betrayals, and unfair treatment, as it is an inevitable part of existence.

The danger of naivety: The mouse’s inability to recognize the cat’s true intentions serves as a warning against being overly trusting and naive. It’s essential to maintain a certain level of skepticism and critical thinking to avoid falling prey to manipulation and deceit.

Cunning and manipulation: The story illustrates the cunning nature of the cat, as it uses manipulation and deception to achieve its goals. The cat tricks the mouse by fabricating stories about attending baptisms, exploiting the mouse’s trust and innocence. This theme highlights the importance of being aware of manipulation and the need to question the motives of others.

The consequences of actions: The tale also emphasizes the consequences of one’s actions. The cat’s deception ultimately leads to the demise of the mouse, while the cat’s own fate remains uncertain. The story serves as a reminder that actions have consequences, and deception can lead to harm for both the deceiver and the deceived.

The use of allegory: The story uses animal characters to represent human traits and behavior. The cat and mouse embody the characteristics of cunning, deception, trust, and innocence. Through this allegory, the tale teaches moral lessons and explores human nature in a way that is both engaging and easily understood.

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ presents readers with an allegorical tale that explores human behavior, morality, and the potential consequences of our actions. Its themes of trust, deception, greed, and manipulation continue to resonate with readers and offer valuable lessons about the importance of being discerning in our relationships and choices. In summary, „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ offers valuable insights and lessons on greed, deception, trust, friendship, power dynamics, the harshness of the world, and the importance of avoiding naivety.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ is a lesser-known fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in their „Children’s and Household Tales.“ This story falls under the Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) classification system as ATU 15 – The Theft of Food by Playing Godfather. „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ may not be as widely adapted as some of the more famous Grimm fairy tales, but it has still inspired a few adaptations and retellings in different forms of media, including literature, animation, and television. Here are some examples:

Literature: „Revolting Rhymes“ by Roald Dahl: In this collection of humorous and satirical retellings of classic fairy tales, Roald Dahl includes a poem based on „Cat and Mouse in Partnership.“ Dahl’s version adds his unique sense of humor and wit, while still maintaining the core themes of the original story. „Puss in Boots“ by Charles Perrault: This French fairy tale, first published in 1697, features a clever cat who uses his wits to help his poor master achieve wealth and status. The cat tricks a king into believing that his master is a powerful and wealthy nobleman, and ultimately helps him win the heart of a princess. While „Puss in Boots“ has some similarities to „Cat and Mouse in Partnership,“ it features a more positive portrayal of the cat character and a different narrative arc.

Animation Films: Animated adaptations of „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ have appeared as part of fairy tale compilation series, often designed for younger audiences. These animated versions typically simplify the story, while still exploring the themes of trust, deception, and cunning. „Tom and Jerry“ cartoon series: This long-running cartoon series, which began in the 1940s, features a cat named Tom who is constantly trying to catch a mouse named Jerry. The dynamic between the two characters is similar to that of the cat and mouse in the Grimm’s tale, with Tom using various strategies and schemes to try to catch Jerry. However, the Tom and Jerry cartoons typically feature more slapstick humor and less of a moralistic tone than the original story. „The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad“ film: This 1949 animated film from Disney features two separate stories: „The Wind in the Willows,“ which is based on the book by Kenneth Grahame, and „The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,“ which is based on the story by Washington Irving. In „The Wind in the Willows“ segment, Mr. Toad is framed for a crime by a group of weasels and must use his cleverness to clear his name. The dynamic between Mr. Toad and the weasels is reminiscent of the cat and mouse in the Grimm’s tale.

Television: „Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics“ (1987-1989): This Japanese animated television series, which retells various Grimm fairy tales, includes an episode based on „Cat and Mouse in Partnership.“ The episode stays true to the original story’s themes and moral lessons while presenting them in a format suitable for a television audience.

Children’s Books: Various illustrated children’s books have been created to retell the story of „Cat and Mouse in Partnership.“ These books often adapt the story for younger readers, simplifying the narrative while still conveying the key themes and moral lessons of the original tale. „The Tale of Tom Kitten“ by Beatrix Potter: This children’s book, published in 1907, features three young kittens who are dressed in fine clothes and set off to go fishing. However, they are ambushed by a rat, who attempts to catch and eat them. The kittens are ultimately rescued by their mother, who uses her wit and cleverness to outsmart the rat. The story is clearly inspired by the Grimm’s tale, but features different characters and a more lighthearted tone.

While „Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ may not have as many adaptations as some other Grimm fairy tales, its themes of trust, deception, and cunning continue to inspire storytellers and captivate audiences. The story’s enduring appeal demonstrates the relevance of these themes and the power of fairy tales to entertain and educate readers across different forms of media.

Summary of the plot

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ is a fairy tale about a cat and a mouse who decide to live together and form a partnership to survive the winter. They buy a pot of fat to store as their winter food supply and hide it in a church.

As time goes by, the cat starts to crave the stored fat. It tricks the mouse by making up a story about being asked to be a godfather at a christening, and then goes to the church and secretly eats a portion of the fat. The cat uses this same trick multiple times, each time inventing a new excuse to visit the church and eat more of the stored fat.

When winter finally arrives, the mouse suggests they retrieve the pot of fat so they can sustain themselves. Upon arriving at the church, they find the pot empty, and the mouse realizes the cat’s deception. In the end, the cat’s true nature is revealed, and it eats the mouse.

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ is a cautionary tale that explores themes of trust, deception, greed, and the consequences of one’s actions. It serves as a warning about the dangers of trusting others too easily and the potential harm caused by greed and selfishness.

Abstract

„Cat and Mouse in Partnership“ is a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm about a cat and a mouse who decide to live and keep house together. They make preparations for winter by buying a pot of fat and storing it in a church for safekeeping. The cat soon becomes greedy and makes up lies about being invited to be a godfather, using these as excuses to leave the house and eat from the pot of fat. Each time the cat returns, the mouse asks about the christened child’s name, and the cat responds with Top-Off, Half-Gone, and All-Gone, indicating the amount of fat left in the pot.

The mouse finds these names strange but remains unaware of the cat’s deception. When winter arrives and the pair go to retrieve their stored food, the mouse discovers the empty pot and realizes the cat’s betrayal. Before the mouse can fully express her anger, the cat silences her by eating her as well. The story illustrates the cruel nature of the world and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of greed and deceit.

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