translated by Gary V. Hartman

A cat had made acquaintance with a mouse and had gone on so much to her of the great love and friendship which she bore for her, that the mouse finally agreed to live together with her in a house and to keep a common household. (2) "But for winter we must make provision, otherwise we shall suffer hunger," said the cat. "You, Little Mouse, cannot venture everywhere and will end up in a trap on me." The good advice was followed and a little pot with fat was purchased. They did not know, though where they should put it. Finally, after much consideration, the cat said, "I know of no place where it would be better preserved than the church, where no one dares to take anything away. We will set it under the altar and will touch it no sooner than we need it." The little pot was brought to safety, but it did not take long before the cat got cravings (3) for it and spoke to the mouse, "What I wanted to say to you, Little Mouse, my cousin (4) has asked me to be godfather. (5) She has brought a little son into the world, white with brown spots, which I am to hold over the [baptismal] font. Let me go out today, and you look after the house alone." — "Yes, yes," answered the mouse, "go in the name of God! If you eat something good, think of me; I, too, would like a little drop of the sweet, red, christening wine." (6) But none of it was true: the cat had no cousin and had not been asked to be godfather. It (7) went straight away to the church, crept to the little fat pot, began to lick, and licked off the fat's skin. Then it took a walk on the roofs of the city, considered the opportunity, thereafter stretched itself out in the sun, and wiped its whiskers as often as it thought about the little fat pot. Only when it was evening did it return home. "Well, you are back," said the mouse. "You have certainly had an enjoyable day." — "It was all right," answered the cat. "What kind of name did the child receive," asked the mouse? "Skin Off," said the cat very dryly. "Skin Off!" cried the mouse. "That is a strange and unusual name. Is it common in your family?" — "What of it," said the cat. "It is no worse than Crumb Thief like your godchildren are called."