In a sunny town not far from here, there lived a cat named Whiskers. He was sleek and fluffy with a coat that shimmered in the sun. Everyone said Whiskers was clever, with eyes that missed nothing and paws quick as lightning.

Whiskers had a good life. He lounged in windows, napped on warm porches, and helped himself to snacks from the pantry whenever someone forgot to close the door.

But what Whiskers loved most? Sneaking into the cellar to listen to the mice talk. The mice lived behind the walls and were always full of stories and silly jokes. One day, Whiskers hid behind a shelf and overheard something wild.

A young mouse had found a little fruit juice spilled in the cellar. After slurping it all up, he got very loud and very proud. “Who’s afraid of a cat?” he shouted. “If I saw one, I’d chase him away!”

Whiskers raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?” he thought, amused.

Before the mouse could finish his speech, Whiskers stepped out from his hiding spot. The mouse gasped. “Uh… I was just kidding,” he squeaked. “You’re amazing, Whiskers. Truly.”

Whiskers let the mouse run off. “Maybe I’ve been a little too scary lately,” he said to himself. “Time for a new image.”

So the next morning, Whiskers strolled to the park with a thoughtful look and a string of beads around his neck. He sat quietly, nodding to squirrels and pigeons alike.

A curious mouse peeped from the grass. “Is that Whiskers?”

“He’s changed,” said another. “Look how peaceful he is!”

Soon, the mice decided to visit Whiskers and bring him gifts to thank him for being kind. They brought cheese snacks, popcorn crumbs, and even a shiny marble.

Whiskers smiled. “How thoughtful!” he said, tucking everything into a pouch. “I’m a new cat now.”

The mice danced and sang. But as the party continued, Whiskers’ tummy rumbled. He looked at the snacks… and then at the mice. Old habits nudged at him.

But just then, the tiniest mouse tripped and dropped her cookie. Whiskers picked it up and gently gave it back.

“Thank you,” she whispered, wide-eyed.

Whiskers looked at the nervous little faces around him and sighed. “Okay,” he said. “Being liked feels better than being feared.”

From that day on, Whiskers truly tried to change. The mice still kept a bit of distance—just in case—but Whiskers stayed true to his word. They weren’t best friends, but they shared the park peacefully.

And when new cats came to town, the mice always said, “Don’t let fancy words fool you. Watch what they do—not just what they say.”

_{“Whiskers the Wise” by Nina D. Smith, published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “The Cat and the Mouse” from Persian Fairy Tales by Hartwell James, originally published in 1906.}

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“Whiskers the Wise” is perfect for elementary school students because it uses playful characters and simple language to explore themes of trust, deception, and critical thinking in a fun and relatable way.