With that, off he flew through the keyhole.
That was the last the farmer or his wife ever saw of him. But forever after they were happy and prosperous.
—Angela M. Keyes
HOW THE CAT GOT ALL THE GRAIN
Once upon a time a Cat and a Parrot owned a field together. One day the Cat said to the Parrot, “Come, friend, ’tis time to till the field.”
Said the Parrot, “I can’t come now, because I am whetting my bill on the branch of a mango-tree.”
So the Cat went alone and plowed the field. When it was plowed the Cat went again to the Parrot and said, “Come, friend, let us sow the corn.”
Said the Parrot, “I can’t come now, because I am whetting my bill on the branch of a mango-tree.”
So the Cat went alone and sowed the corn. The corn took root, and sprouted, and put forth the blade, and the ear, and the ripe corn in the ear. Then the Cat went again to the Parrot and said, “Come, friend, let us go and gather in the harvest.”
Said the Parrot, “I can’t come now, because I am whetting my bill on the branch of a mango-tree.”