“Butcher,” said she, “kill ox. Ox won’t drink water,” etc.
But the butcher would not. The woman went on a little further, and met a rope.
“Rope,” said she, “hang butcher. Butcher won’t kill ox,” etc.
But the rope would not. Again the woman went on, and she met a rat.
“Rat,” said she, “gnaw rope. Rope won’t hang butcher,” etc.
But the rat would not. The woman went on a little further, and met a cat.
“Cat,” said she, “kill rat. Rat won’t gnaw rope,” etc.
“Oh,” said the cat, “I will kill the rat if you will fetch me a basin of milk from the cow over there.”
The old woman went to the cow and asked her to let her have some milk for the cat.