It was in the year that the donkey was elected judge, because only he and the mule came to vote and the mule spoiled his voting-paper.
The weasel came before the court to make a serious complaint against the rat.
"Most learned judge," said the weasel, "the rat came to me for advice. 'Tell me,' he said, 'how I can obtain a delicious piece of cheese I have seen.' I showed him how he could get it. He ate the cheese, and since then he has not ceased to revile me."
"Most unjust," said the judge. "What has the rat to say?"
"The rat does not appear," said the mule, who was usher.
"And why not?" asked the judge.
"He is still in the trap," said the usher.
"I showed him the way in," said the weasel proudly.
"But not the way out," said the rat's prospective widow.
"He only asked me how he could get the cheese, and I showed him," said the weasel.