A cat and a mouse became friends and decided to live together. "We must prepare for winter," said the cat. "We should buy a pot of fat so we don't go hungry." They bought the fat but didn't know where to hide it. Finally, the cat said, "The church is the safest place. No one would steal from a church. We will put it under the altar."
However, the cat soon started thinking about the fat. She said to the mouse, "My cousin has a new baby boy, and I must be the godmother at the christening today. Please look after the house."
This was a lie. The cat went straight to the church and licked the top layer of fat off the pot. When she returned, the mouse asked, "What is the baby’s name?"
"Top-off," the cat replied coolly.
"Top-off?" cried the mouse. "What a strange name!"
A few days later, the cat lied again. "I am asked to be godmother again. This baby has a white ring around its neck." She went to the church and ate half of the fat. When she returned, the mouse asked the name.
"Half-done," said the cat.
"Half-done! I have never heard that name in my life," said the mouse.
Soon, the cat wanted more. She told the mouse she was godmother for a third time. This time, she emptied the entire pot. When she came home, the mouse asked for the name.
"All-gone," the cat answered.
"All-gone!" the mouse said, looking worried. "That is a very suspicious name."
When winter arrived, there was no food left in the forest. The mouse said, "Let's go to the church and enjoy our pot of fat!" They went to the altar, but the pot was completely empty.
"Oh!" cried the mouse. "Now I understand! You are not a true friend. While you were 'godmother,' you were eating our food! First Top-off, then Half-done, then—"
"Be quiet!" shouted the cat. "If you say one more word, I will eat you too!"
"All-gone!" the poor mouse cried out.
Immediately, the cat jumped on the mouse and swallowed her. That, unfortunately, is the way of the world.