A young mouse learns not to judge others by their looks after mistaking a rooster for a monster and a cat for a friend.
Author: Æsop
Themes: appearances, wisdom, deception
A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost came to grief the very first time he ventured out. He was strolling along very peaceably when, just as he turned the corner into the next yard, he saw two strange creatures.
On top of his head and in front of his neck hung pieces of raw red meat. He walked about restlessly, tearing up the ground with his toes, and beating his arms savagely against his sides. The moment he caught sight of me he opened his pointed mouth as if to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing roar that frightened me almost to death.
The pretty creature had thick, velvety fur, a meek face, and a look that was very modest, though his eyes were bright and shining. As he looked at me he waved his fine long tail and smiled. I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the monster let out a screaming yell, and I ran for my life.
Back in the safety of the mouse hole, the young mouse told his mother all about his adventure. He described the terrifying monster with red meat on his head and the gentle, friendly creature with soft fur.
My son, said the Mother Mouse, that gentle creature you saw was none other than the Cat. Under his kindly appearance, he bears a grudge against every one of us. The other was nothing but a bird who wouldn't harm you in the least. As for the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you escaped with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by their looks.
Introduction
The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse is a clever fable from Æsop's collection that teaches children one of life's most important lessons: never judge by appearances. When a naive young mouse ventures into the world for the first time, he mistakes a harmless rooster for a monster and a deadly cat for a friend. Through his wise mother's guidance, he learns that looks can be deceiving and that true danger often wears a friendly face.
About Æsop
Æsop was a legendary Greek storyteller who lived around 620-564 BCE. His fables use animal characters to teach human lessons, making complex moral truths accessible to children. Each story ends with a clear moral that readers of all ages can apply to their daily lives. The wisdom of these ancient tales remains as relevant today as it was over two thousand years ago.
The Moral of the Story
Do not trust alone to outward appearances. This fable teaches children that how someone looks on the outside doesn't tell you who they are on the inside. The scary-looking rooster was actually harmless, while the sweet-looking cat was deadly dangerous. We must look beyond appearances to understand people's true nature.
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The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse
The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse is a clever fable from Æsop's collection that teaches children one of life's most important lessons: never judge by appearances. When a naive young mouse ventures into the world for the first time, he mistakes a harmless rooster for a monster and a deadly cat for a friend. Through his wise mother's guidance, he learns that looks can be deceiving and that true danger often wears a friendly face.
Origin of This Classic Fable
The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse comes from the ancient collection of Æsop's Fables, stories first told in Greece around 600 BCE. This particular tale addresses our tendency to judge based on outward appearance rather than inner nature. The young mouse's innocent mistake serves as a powerful reminder that danger doesn't always look dangerous, and safety doesn't always look safe.
About Æsop
Æsop was a legendary Greek storyteller who lived around 620-564 BCE. His fables use animal characters to teach human lessons, making complex moral truths accessible to children. Each story ends with a clear moral that readers of all ages can apply to their daily lives. The wisdom of these ancient tales remains as relevant today as it was over two thousand years ago.
The Moral of the Story
Do not trust alone to outward appearances. This fable teaches children that how someone looks on the outside doesn't tell you who they are on the inside. The scary-looking rooster was actually harmless, while the sweet-looking cat was deadly dangerous. We must look beyond appearances to understand people's true nature.
wisdom
discernment
caution
critical thinking
Learning Activities
Engage children with these fun activities based on The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse:
🎨Draw both the rooster and the cat - which one looks scarier? Which one is actually dangerous?
💬Discuss: Can you think of times when something that looked scary was actually safe?
✨Role-play: Be the wise mother mouse giving advice to the baby mouse
📝Make up a story about another animal that looks different from how it acts
Frequently Asked Questions
❓What is the moral of The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse?
The moral is 'Do not trust alone to outward appearances.' We shouldn't judge whether something is safe or dangerous just by how it looks.
❓Why was the young mouse afraid of the rooster?
The mouse was afraid because the rooster looked strange and frightening to him - with its red comb (which he thought was raw meat), loud crowing, and aggressive movements.
❓Why is this story important for children?
This story teaches children to look beyond surface appearances and develop discernment. It's a valuable lesson about not being fooled by friendly-seeming strangers or scared of harmless things.
