A Fable by Oliver Herford (1906)
A hungry cat observes a mouse enjoying a meal on Thanksgiving morning. The cat contemplates the idea of eating the mouse, rationalizing that the mouse's gratitude for its own meal would enhance the cat's own satisfaction. The cat imagines the layers of thankfulness that would arise from this act, believing that consuming the mouse would lead to a greater appreciation of the meal. However, the mouse, aware of the cat's intentions, chooses to leave rather than become part of the cat's feast. The fable illustrates themes of predation, gratitude, and the awareness of one's circumstances, highlighting the contrast between the cat's self-serving thoughts and the mouse's instinct for survival. The narrative serves as a commentary on the nature of thankfulness and the potential consequences of one's desires.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1906 · Genre: Fable, Poetry, Children's Literature · 142 words
First lines
It was a hungry pussy cat Upon Thanksgiving morn, And she watched a thankful little mouse That ate an ear of corn.
"If I ate that thankful little mouse, How thankful he should be, When he has made a meal himself, To make a meal for me!
"Then, with his thanks for having fed And his thanks for feeding me -- With all _his_ thankfulness inside -- How thankful _I_ shall be!"
Thus mused the hungry pussy cat Upon Thanksgiving Day.
What this Textopian page supports
A Fable is listed on Textopian as a fable by Oliver Herford, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Oliver Herford
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor, Satire
- Length: 142 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Fable — The work presents a moral lesson through anthropomorphized animals, characteristic of fables.
- Poetry — The text employs rhyme and meter, typical of poetic forms.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and themes make it suitable for a young audience.
- Humor — The playful interaction between the cat and mouse adds a humorous element.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Poetry · Humor · Social Commentary · Critique · Politics · Society · Culture · Morality · Moral Lesson · Animal Imagery