This is a Pussy called Miss Moppet, she thinks she has heard a mouse!
This is the Mouse peeping out behind the cupboard, and making fun of Miss Moppet. He is not afraid of a kitten.
This is Miss Moppet jumping just too late; she misses the Mouse and hits her own head.
She thinks it is a very hard cupboard!
The Mouse watches Miss Moppet from the top of the cupboard.
Miss Moppet ties up her head in a duster, and sits before the fire.
The Mouse thinks she is looking very ill. He comes sliding down the bell-pull.
Miss Moppet looks worse and worse. The Mouse comes a little nearer.
Miss Moppet holds her poor head in her paws, and looks at him through a hole in the duster. The Mouse comes very close.
And then all of a sudden—Miss Moppet jumps upon the Mouse!
And because the Mouse has teased Miss Moppet—Miss Moppet thinks she will tease the Mouse; which is not at all nice of Miss Moppet.
She ties him up in the duster, and tosses it about like a ball.
But she forgot about that hole in the duster; and when she untied it—there was no Mouse!
He has wriggled out and run away; and he is dancing a jig on the top of the cupboard!
Credits
Beatrix Potter was a beloved English author and illustrator, best known for creating the world of Peter Rabbit. Originally published in 1906 as a novelty "panoramic" booklet, The Story of Miss Moppet was one of Potter's few tales to feature a cat as the central character — and one whose tricks delightfully backfire.
