In a cozy little house, not too far from here, lived a sleek cat and a small, hopeful mouse. One day, the cat said to the mouse, "Little mouse, winter is coming. We should save up some food so we won't be hungry when it's cold."

The mouse thought this was a splendid idea. "What shall we save?" she squeaked.
"Let's buy a little pot of delicious, creamy fat," said the cat. "It will keep us warm and full."

So they bought a pot of fat. "Now, where shall we hide it so no one finds it?" wondered the mouse.
The cat, who was very clever, purred, "I know! We'll hide it in the church, under the altar. No one will ever think to look there. It's the safest place."

So they took the pot of fat to the church and hid it carefully.

Not long after, the cat started to crave the fat. He said to the mouse, "Little mouse, my cousin has just had a baby kitten, and she's asked me to be the godfather. I must go to the christening today."
"Oh, of course," said the trusting mouse. "Have a wonderful time! And what will they name the kitten?"
The cat, licking his lips thinking of the fat, said, "Top-off."
"Top-off?" said the mouse. "That's a funny name."
"It is," said the cat, and off he went. But he didn't go to any christening. He went straight to the church, found the pot, and licked the top layer of fat right off. Then he strolled home.

A few days later, the cat's craving returned. "Little mouse," he announced, "I've been invited to another christening. Another cousin, another baby!"
"Goodness me!" said the mouse. "You have a big family. What's this kitten's name?"
The cat, already imagining the taste, replied, "Half-gone."
"Half-gone?" exclaimed the mouse. "That's even funnier than Top-off!"
"Indeed," said the cat, and off he trotted. He went to the church and ate half of what was left in the pot.

Soon, the cat wanted more. "Little mouse," he said with a sigh, "It seems I'm very popular. I have to go to a third christening."
The mouse was a bit surprised. "Another one? Well, what's this little one called?"
The cat, barely able to hide his grin, said, "All-gone."
"All-gone!" cried the mouse. "That's the strangest name I've ever heard! I don't think I like that name at all."
But the cat just shrugged and went to the church. This time, he ate every last bit of fat in the pot.

When winter finally arrived, the mouse said, "Cat, I'm feeling a bit chilly and hungry. Let's go get our pot of fat."
"A fine idea," said the cat, trying to look innocent.

They went to the church and found the pot under the altar. The mouse peeked inside. It was empty!
"Oh!" she cried. "Where has all our fat gone?"
Then she remembered the christenings. "Top-off..." she whispered. "Half-gone... And then... All-gone!"
Suddenly, she understood. "Cat!" she squeaked, her whiskers trembling. "You tricked me! You ate all the fat yourself!"

The cat just looked at her. "And what if I did?" he purred, his eyes gleaming. "One more word out of you..."
But the mouse was too upset. "You ate All-gone!" she cried.
"And now," said the cat, pouncing, "I'll eat you too!" And with one gulp, the poor little mouse was gone.
And that, sometimes, is just how things go in the world.

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