“Cow, cow, give me a saucer of milk;
Cat won’t kill rat;” etc.
But the cow said to her, “If you will go to yonder haymakers, and fetch me a wisp of hay, I’ll give you the milk.” So away went the old woman to the haymakers, and said—
“Haymakers, give me a wisp of hay;
Cow won’t give me milk;” etc.
But the haymakers said to her, “If you will go to yonder stream, and fetch us a bucket of water, we’ll give you the hay.” So away the old woman went; but when she got to the stream, she found the bucket was full of holes. So she covered the bottom with pebbles, and then filled the bucket with water, and away she went back with it to the haymakers; and they gave her a wisp of hay. As soon as the cow had eaten the hay, she gave the old woman the milk; and away she went with it in a saucer to the cat. As soon as the cat had lapped up the milk—
The cat began to kill the rat;
The rat began to gnaw the rope;
The rope began to hang the butcher;