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Chinese Merry Tales (1909)/10

From Wikisource
Chinese Merry Tales (1909)
translated by Y. T. Woo
X. Scepticism and Cruelty of Cats
1989841Chinese Merry Tales (1909) — X. Scepticism and Cruelty of CatsY. T. Woo

Chapter X.—Scepticism and Cruelty of Cats. (貓逐鼠.)

THERE was a cat who was very clever at catching rats.

One day the cat chased a rat into a vase. The cat was reluctant to leave and stayed by the side of the vase, patiently waiting for the rat to come out. The rat was in terrible fear, and did not venture to show his head. The cat happened to sneeze. The rat in the vase said something about good wishes—such words as "Happiness and prosperity." The cat said: "No matter how you compliment me, I am determined to eat you."