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So now the bird set the table, and the mouse looked after the

food and, wishing to prepare it in the same way as the sausage,

by rolling in and out among the vegetables to salt and butter

them, she jumped into the pot; but she stopped short long before

she reached the bottom, having already parted not only with her

skin and hair, but also with life.

Presently the bird came in and wanted to serve up the dinner, but

he could nowhere see the cook. In his alarm and flurry, he threw

the wood here and there about the floor, called and searched, but

no cook was to be found. Then some of the wood that had been

carelessly thrown down, caught fire and began to blaze. The bird

hastened to fetch some water, but his pail fell into the well,

and he after it, and as he was unable to recover himself, he was

drowned.

MOTHER HOLLE