"Very well," replied the rat, "but first you must bring me some leather."
So the cat ran away and brought back two hides.
When the rat saw the amount of leather he was struck with an idea. "My dear Tom," he said, "I can make you a suit of clothes and a pair of gloves as well as the shoes, and you will be the envy of all the other cats."
Tom was delighted and told the rat to hurry and make the outfit.
The wise rat first made the gloves and covered Tom's sharp claws. Then he made the shoes for the hind feet, and when he had that done he felt safe.
"Now you must wait," he said; "until I get something with which I can fasten the coat." He ran away and returned with some long, sharp thorns.
Next the rat put the leather around Tom's body and drew it tight, fastening it with a thorn which he pushed so that the sharp point pricked Tom.
"What are you doing?" asked Tom, angry at being hurt; but he could not move, the leather costume was so stiff and tight, but he grabbed at the rat with his mouth, and caught him by the tail.
The rat ran, leaving his tail in Tom's mouth.
"I'll know you," Tom called after him. "When I am out of this suit I will catch you and eat you."