So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the rope,” said she, “and ask it to hang the smith.”
The lad went to the rope. “My dear rope, hang the smith, for the smith won’t hammer the ax, the ax won’t split the yoke, the yoke won’t throttle the ox, the ox won’t drink the water, the water won’t quench the fire, the fire won’t burn the fir, the fir won’t crush the Finn, the Finn won’t shoot the bear, the bear won’t slay the wolf, the wolf won’t tear the fox, the fox won’t bite Nanny, and Nanny won’t come home in time. I am so hungry and want my supper.”
“No, I will not,” said the rope; “I am not going to break in two for that.”
So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the mouse,” said she, “and ask her to gnaw the rope.”
The lad went to the mouse. “My dear mouse, gnaw the rope, for the rope won’t hang the smith, the smith won’t hammer the ax, the ax won’t split the yoke, the yoke won’t throttle the ox, the ox won’t drink the water, the water won’t quench the fire, the fire won’t burn the fir, the fir won’t crush the Finn, the Finn won’t shoot the bear, the bear won’t slay the wolf, the wolf won’t tear the fox, the fox won’t bite Nanny, and Nanny won’t come home in time. I am so hungry and want my supper.”
“No, I will not,” said the mouse; “I am not going to wear out my teeth for that.”
So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the cat,” said she, “and ask her to catch the mouse.”