There were four mice who lived under a village gate. Word had it that one day one of them would be called to do a great thing. Impatient the first mouse declared,"I am not content with this drab brown coat, so I shall wear this beautiful yellow cloth I found under the tailor's shop". The next day a cat came to the gate, and seeing the bright yellow cloth, pounced on the first mouse and devoured him.

Then the second mouse declared,"I am not content with this dusty smell, so I shall bathe in this perfume I found outside the apothecary". The next day a snake came past the gate and smelling the sweet smell, he devoured the second mouse.

Then the third mouse said to the smallest mouse,"I am sure it must be me who is called because you are so small, so I shall climb the gate and take post on top". The next hour a raven came by, and with great ease whisked away the third mouse and then devoured him.

The last mouse remained at the bottom of the gate. The next day a stampede of elephants were charging toward the village, and all of the villagers shook with fear. When the first elephant reached the village gate it came to a fast stop. Having seen the small mouse the elephant turned in retreat, since elephants are afraid of mice. The village was saved, and yet none of the villagers could tell why the elephants spared them. The mouse quite happily remained under her gate, and ate the food the other mice left behind.