In a cozy little house in the Italian countryside lived a mother with her two daughters. Lucia was gentle and kind, always ready to help. Her older sister Carlotta was clever but proud, and she did not like being told what to do. One day, their mother baked a beautiful cake and said, "Girls, I need one of you to take this cake to the Monster Cat who lives beyond the forest."
Lucia bravely offered to go first. She carried the cake in a basket and set off down the path through the forest. Along the way, she met a little mouse who was trying to carry a heavy walnut. "Let me help you," said Lucia, and she carried the walnut to the mouse's home. The grateful mouse said, "Thank you, kind girl. When you meet the big cat, remember to be polite and helpful."
Lucia walked on until she came to a stream where a little bird had a thorn stuck in its wing. She gently removed the thorn and wrapped the wing with a soft leaf. The bird sang happily and said, "Thank you! When you reach the cat's house, offer to sweep his floors. He will like that very much." Lucia smiled and continued on her way.
At last, Lucia reached a grand stone house with a big wooden door. She knocked politely and the door swung open. Inside sat the most enormous cat she had ever seen. He was as big as a horse, with beautiful silver fur and golden eyes. He wore a tiny red cape and sat upon a velvet cushion. "Welcome, child," said the Monster Cat in a deep, rumbling voice. "What have you brought me?"
"My mother sends you this cake with her kindest wishes," said Lucia with a curtsy. She noticed that the cat's house was a bit dusty. "May I sweep your floors for you?" she asked sweetly. The Monster Cat purred with pleasure. Lucia swept and tidied until everything was neat and clean. She even polished the cat's golden dishes and fluffed his velvet cushion.
When it was time to go, the Monster Cat brought out two chests. One was plain wood and one was painted with flowers. "Choose one as your reward," he said. Lucia chose the plain wooden chest because she did not want to seem greedy. When she opened it at home, it was full of beautiful silk dresses, sparkling jewels, and golden coins! Her mother and sister could not believe their eyes.
Carlotta saw the wonderful treasures and wanted some for herself. "I will go to the Monster Cat tomorrow," she announced. "And I will choose the prettier chest and get even better rewards." Her mother baked another cake, and Carlotta set off the next morning with her chin held high and a determined look on her face.
Along the path, Carlotta met the same little mouse struggling with a walnut. "Out of my way, silly mouse," she said and stepped right past him. Then she came to the bird with the hurt wing. "I do not have time for you," she snapped and hurried on. The mouse and the bird looked at each other sadly and shook their heads.
Carlotta arrived at the Monster Cat's house and pushed open the door without knocking. The enormous cat looked at her with his golden eyes. "My mother sent this cake," Carlotta said, setting it down carelessly. She looked around the dusty house but did not offer to clean. "I believe you have a reward for me?" she said, tapping her foot impatiently.
The Monster Cat brought out the same two chests. Carlotta grabbed the painted chest with flowers right away. "This one is clearly the better one," she said proudly. The Monster Cat said nothing, but his golden eyes seemed sad. Carlotta did not even say goodbye. She marched out the door, hugging the painted chest tightly.
When Carlotta got home, she threw open the painted chest, expecting gold and jewels. But instead, out jumped a dozen little green frogs and a tangle of wet seaweed! The frogs hopped all over the house, and Carlotta shrieked and chased after them. Lucia could not help but giggle, though she tried to be kind about it.
That evening, Carlotta sat quietly by the fire. She thought about the little mouse and the hurt bird and how she had treated the Monster Cat. "I understand now," she said softly. "It was not about which chest I chose. It was about how I treated others along the way." Lucia hugged her sister, and from that day on, Carlotta tried much harder to be kind and respectful to everyone she met.
