Long, long ago when your great-great-great grandparents were just children, there was a cat who had no whiskers, but a mustache. He was very proud of the mustache because no other animal in the rainforest, which was where the cat lived in the past, had one. Now, the cat behind his back was called Boastful Cat by other animals, but the cat always just thought of himself as “The Greatest Cat in the World.”
One day, Mouse came along, scurrying.
“Why, hello, Cat! How are you?” Mouse called out merrily.
“What did you say? Oh, I am quite excellent.” Cat said briskly. Then he walked away, for he thought himself much more highly than the mouse because of his wonderful mustache and mouse’s ugly whiskers.
Mouse didn’t show any emotion on his face, though he thought that it was soon time to teach Boastful Cat a lesson. Mouse continued on his way home to think up a plan. He heard Cat mumbling about how lucky he was to have such a wonderful mustache instead of Mouse’s ugly whiskers. Mouse was so furious he scurried right home extra-fast for he was afraid he might start an argument that wasn’t necessary and make a fool of himself. At home, Mouse sat in his favorite chair and was deep in thought. Suddenly, he had an idea! Mouse put on his traveling cloak, packed all the things he needed for the journey in a blanket, and tied the pack to a stick. In order for his plan to work, Mouse needed to pay a visit to Wise Walrus, the Potion Maker who lived deep in the heart of the rainforest.
So Mouse started out the door and began his long journey. He walked into the cold wind and went through a humongous blizzard. Finally, Mouse saw a light through the thick, falling snow in Wise Walrus’s cottage. Mouse scurried to the door and knocked loudly.
“Who’s there?” called Wise Walrus from inside his cozy cottage.
“It’s me, Mouse!” said Mouse.
Wise Walrus opened the door and said kindly, “Come in, come in!”
Mouse stepped through the doorway and followed Wise Walrus in to the living room, where a big fire was blazing in the fireplace. Wise Walrus motioned for Mouse to sit down.
“So Mouse, for what reason did you come here?” asked Wise Walrus.
“Wise Walrus, I have come because I figured it was time to teach Boastful Cat a lesson. I’ve had enough of his ways. I want you to make me a potion that will turn Cat’s mustache into whiskers like mine once he drink it, “said Mouse.
“Hmm….. I know just how to make this potion, but how will you pay for it?” said Wise Walrus,
“But think about it this way, Wise Walrus. Don’t you want to teach Boastful Cat a lesson once and for all?” asked Mouse.
“Well, of course but…..ok, I’ll do it. Wait here, it will be quick,” said Wise Walrus.
Mouse waited patiently for Wise Walrus. Finally, Wise Walrus returned with a bottle that was filled with dark-green liquid.
“Do you want to stay here for the night? It’s freezing cold out there,” offered Wise Walrus.
“I would be glad to, but I am worried that there would be more snow tomorrow,” said Mouse.
“Don’t worry. Anyway, it’s dark outside and you can’t see where you’re going,” persuaded Wise Walrus. Mouse gave in reluctantly and retired to the bedroom Wise Walrus showed him. The next morning, there was little snow and even a little sunshine
“Good luck, Mouse,” said Wise Walrus, handing him the bottle of potion.
“I do not know how to repay your kindness, Wise Walrus,” Mouse told him as he stepped out the door.
“Farewell.”
Mouse scurried home quickly now that there was little snow. He put down his pack and took off his traveling cloak. Mouse put on his usual clothes, so that Boastful Cat wouldn’t be suspicious. Then he looked at himself in the mirror, took a deep breath and started for Cat’s home. Mouse bravely knocked on Cat’s door and heard Cat call out, “Who’s disturbing me?”
“It’s me, Mouse. I am here to present you a potion I asked Walrus to make. It will make your mustache grow grander than ever before!” called out Mouse.
“Is that so?” Cat asked curiously as he opened the door.
Mouse handed him the bottle with the green liquid and said. “Drink this now, Cat and you will see the new mustache tomorrow morning.”
Cat drank the whole bottle in one big gulp. Then he said, “This is more like how I should be treated,” and slammed the door in Mouse’s face.
Mouse wanted to laugh out loud, but he did not dare until he got home. The night passed and morning came. Cat woke up and decided to take a walk so that every animal would see his new mustache. When he walked outside, animals nearby pointed and laughed.
“What are you animals laughing at?” Cat asked, confused and angry.
He hurried back into his home and looked in the mirror. There, on his face, were whiskers and no mustache! Cat was so furious at Mouse once he figured why this happened. But cat did not know where Mouse’s home was. He was so embarrassed that he packed all the things he needed and went into town to live with the humans, if the humans let him. Cat figured he would need to beg the humans and he was very ashamed of himself. To this day, cats are still angry at mice and pounce on them every time one is in sight. As for Wise Walrus, he was so scared of what Cat might do to him in his temper that he went to live in the water and come on land only once in a while when he had the courage. This is the tale of how the Cat got his whiskers.
The End
