Housework

Once there was a mother mouse. She was very proud of her five mouse children. The mouse family lived in the house of a human family. The mouse family worked hard to keep the human home clean. After each meal, the mice would scurry out to pick up crumbs and other things that had dropped to the floor.

It was a busy and hectic life, but this was a hard-working mouse family. That is, except for one family member. Mina Mouse was content to spend her days lying around. She had no desire to work and managed to get out of most of the chores.

One day, Mother Mouse knew that things had to change! She sat Mina down and explained that she had to start carrying her own weight.

“But Mother,” protested Mina.

“No, my child. You will one day see the wisdom in this,” replied Mother Mouse.

And that day was soon to come. The next morning, Mother gave out assignments. The mice children hurried to get their jobs done so that they could play—that is, except for Mina. She spent her morning complaining.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Mother answered the door and found her neighbor inviting the children to go with them to the feline circus. Mother allowed all of her children to go as long as their chores were done. Everyone had their chores done . . . except for Mina. From that day forward, Mina always managed to get her jobs done first.