Horace Elisha Scudder

The Cat, the Weasel, and the Young Rabbit

A Young Rabbit was living contentedly at home, respected by his neighbors, and not disposed to get into difficulty with any one, for he was peaceful and temperate in his habits. He went out one morning to the parsley market, to get his dinner, when a Weasel, that was going slyly by, slipped into the Rabbit’s house, and made herself at home. It was very comfortable, and quite to her mind, so she decided to remain, and settle down there at housekeeping, and enjoy the society of the neighborhood. By and by the Rabbit returned, and saw the Weasel sitting at the window, poking her snout out. "Do you not know that this is my house?" he asked. "Tut, tut," said the Weasel. "What makes it yours? you only scratched the ground a little and came in here where the earth was gone. Do you pretend to own the earth?" "The law gives it to me," said the Rabbit, "because I made it fit to live in. If you do not leave, I shall send for the constable." "The law, indeed!" said the Weasel. "And pray what right has the law to give away land? But we will have no more words. We will lay the matter before Grimalkin, and leave it to him." The Rabbit consented, and they went together to Grimalkin, an ancient Cat, who was old, wise, and learned. "Come nearer, my children," said Grimalkin to them, as they both began talking together; "I am very deaf, and borne down by the weight of years. Nearer still, that I may hear every word." Both approached fearlessly, each loudly protesting that the other was unjust. As soon, however, as the learned Grimalkin had them within reach, he darted his claws out on either side at the same moment, and had them both in his clutches, when he settled their dispute by devouring them at his leisure. The house then belonged to him.