Aesop | Greece
The Mouse in the Wine Jar and the Cat
A trapped mouse promises a cat anything for help, but later refuses, teaching the cat about broken promises made under the influence.
Once upon a time, in a big, old kitchen, a tiny mouse found himself trapped inside a jar full of wine. He tried to climb out, but the jar was too slick and steep.
Nearby, a smart cat was walking around the kitchen. He heard a small sound coming from a jar. He jumped up and saw the mouse inside, struggling in the wine.
"Help me, please!" cried the mouse, waving his small arms. "I will give you anything you want!"
Hoping for a reward, the cat carefully tipped the jar. The mouse slid out, covered in wine, and ran away to dry off and sleep.
A few days later, the cat was very hungry. He remembered the mouse's promise. He went to the mouse's hole and said, "I'm here for my reward. I'm hungry."
The mouse, feeling safe in his hole, replied, "I was not thinking clearly when I made that promise because I was drunk from the wine. I cannot just give myself up to you. Find your food somewhere else."
And so the cat was left with an empty belly, having learned that promises made when someone is not thinking clearly might not be kept. It's important to think about this when making deals.
