The Fable of “The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse”
A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost came to grief the very first time he ventured out. And this is the story he told his mother about his adventures.
“I was strolling along very peaceably when, just as I turned the corner into the next yard, I saw two strange creatures. One of them had a very kind and gracious look, but the other was the most fearful monster you can imagine. You should have seen him.
“On top of his head and in front of his neck hung pieces of raw red meat. He walked about restlessly, tearing up the ground with his toes, and beating his arms savagely against his sides. The moment he caught sight of me he opened his pointed mouth as if to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing roar that frightened me almost to death.”
Can you guess who it was that our young Mouse was trying to describe to his mother? It was nobody but the Barnyard Cock and the first one the little Mouse had ever seen.
“If it had not been for that terrible monster,” the Mouse went on, “I should have made the acquaintance of the pretty creature, who looked so good and gentle. He had thick, velvety fur, a meek face, and a look that was very modest, though his eyes were bright and shining. As he looked at me he waved his fine long tail and smiled.
“I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the monster I have told you about let out a screaming yell, and I ran for my life.”
“My son,” said the Mother Mouse, “that gentle creature you saw was none other than the Cat. Under his kindly appearance, he bears a grudge against every one of us. The other was nothing but a bird who wouldn’t harm you in the least. As for the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you escaped with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by their looks.”
Do not trust alone to outward appearances.
The Story of “The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse”
– Aesop’s Fable –
Don’t Judge by Appearances: The Lesson of “The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse”
Aesop’s fables have long been known for their short, simple stories that carry powerful moral lessons. One of the most memorable is “The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse,” which follows the first adventure of a young mouse and how his naive perceptions nearly led him into danger.
In this fable, a little mouse takes his first steps out into the world. With innocent eyes and no experience, he relies entirely on instinct and appearances. When he comes across two unfamiliar creatures—a proud, loud rooster and a soft-looking cat with velvety fur—he draws opposite conclusions: the rooster is a terrifying monster, while the cat seems like a gentle friend.
But this misjudgment reveals a familiar truth about life: we are often deceived by what seems attractive, calm, or impressive. Though the rooster may look intimidating and sounds fierce, he poses no real threat to mice. Meanwhile, the kind-looking cat with shining eyes is in fact a deadly predator. Only after returning home and hearing his mother’s warning does the young mouse realize the truth—he had narrowly escaped becoming the cat’s next meal.
Through the image of this naive little mouse, “The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse” teaches us a timeless lesson: never judge others by appearances alone. Not everything that looks gentle is safe, and not everything that appears frightening is truly harmful. To understand someone—or something—deeply, we need time, observation, and reflection. Relying only on first impressions can be dangerously misleading.
The fable also highlights the value of experience and guidance. The young mouse, too new to know right from wrong, trusts only what he feels. It is his mother’s wisdom—representing knowledge and lived experience—that helps him see clearly. This message is echoed throughout many of Aesop’s fables: true understanding doesn’t come from emotion, but from learning and listening to those who’ve gone before us.
Conclusion
Like many of Aesop’s fables, “The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse“ speaks not only to children but also offers a reflective message for adults. With simple storytelling and vivid imagery, the tale delivers its lesson gently but effectively.
This timeless fable clearly illustrates the enduring power of storytelling—to inspire reflection, deliver moral truths, and stay with us long after the tale ends.
💡 Main Lesson of the Story: Don’t judge others by their appearance. What seems gentle may hide danger, while what appears frightening may be completely harmless. Look deeper before you decide.