At last the little girl, who had walked far along the dusty road in the hot sun that morning, found herself growing very tired and sleepy, and as the tumbled beds did not look very inviting, she went down stairs and took a nap in a large rocking-chair that had belonged to the old woman. When she was quite rested, she helped herself to a needle and thread out of the work-basket, and went to work to mend her dress, which was badly torn. Just as she had sewed up the last rent she heard steps outside, and glancing out of the round window, saw the pussy cat, the parrot, and the monkey coming in at the gate.
Frightened nearly out of her wits at sight of the queer trio, Filbert jumped up, and ran and hid behind the curtain.
In came the three, as gay as could be, chattering and laughing.
"For I have learned to cook porridge," said the cat.
"And I have learned to make beds," said the parrot.
"And I have learned to sweep the floor," said the monkey.
"Then do let us hurry," cried all three, "for we are hungry and sleepy, and the house is very, very dusty."
The cat set to work first, mixed the meal and milk, and set it over the fire to boil; and it smelled so good they all felt hungrier than ever; but when they came to taste the porridge they found it was burned, and pussy had forgotten the salt.
"Bah! bah!" cried the parrot and monkey, throwing down their spoons in disgust; "you can't cook, and we shall have to go to bed hungry."