THE CAT, THE WEASEL, AND THE YOUNG RABBIT
There was once a young Rabbit, a quiet, peace-loving Rabbit. He lived in a neat house, and made no trouble for any one. But one day he went to market to buy some parsley. A Weasel came slyly by and saw the little house. He slipped in and made himself at home. It was a good place to stay in, and there he meant to stay. By and by the Rabbit came home, and saw the Weasel at the window.
“Do you know that this is my house?” the Rabbit asked.
“Pooh, pooh!” said the Weasel, “what makes it yours? You only dug in the ground a little, and came in here where the earth was gone. Do you think you own the earth?”
“The law gives it to me,” said the Rabbit, “because I made it fit to live in. If you do not leave, I will call the police.”
[Original]
“The law, indeed!” said the Weasel; “and what right has the law to give away land? But we will have no more words. We will lay the matter before the Cat, and leave it to him.”
“Very well,” said the young Rabbit, and they went to find the Cat,—an old, wise, and strong Cat.