Jean Pierre Claris de Florian
|
France

The Two Cats

A hungry cat learns to get food by being friendly to his master, following his fat brother's advice.
Resourcefulness
Adaptability
Perseverance
The Two Cats
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there were two cat brothers. They came from a long line of fine cats and were seen as the best of their kind. Despite being brothers, they were very different. One cat was fat and healthy, while the other was skinny and hungry.

The fat cat lived a comfortable life. Every day, he had plenty to eat, like a king at a feast. He was round, with smooth fur and a happy face. He didn’t need to hunt or worry about food.

The skinny cat, on the other hand, had to work hard for every meal. He spent his days hunting mice, but it was never enough. He was always hungry, and his fur was thin and rough. He searched every corner and hole, always hoping to find something to eat. Despite his efforts, he rarely had a full meal.

One day, the hungry cat couldn’t take it anymore. He asked his brother, "Why are you always full and healthy, while I am starving? You don't seem to work as hard as I do, yet you are never hungry. How can this be?"

The fat cat smiled and said, "My dear brother, the answer is simple. You are too focused on catching mice. While that is a good and honest way to live, it is not the easiest way."

The skinny cat was puzzled. "Is it wrong to hunt for mice?" he asked.

"No," said the fat cat, "it's not wrong. But there is another way. I spend my time with our master. I make him happy with my clever tricks and by being friendly. Because of this, he shares his food with me. I don't need to hunt or worry. I just need to be around him and make him laugh. He gives me what I need."

The skinny cat thought about this. "But I am just a cat. How can I do tricks or make him laugh?"

The fat cat laughed. "You don't need to be a circus performer. Just be clever and friendly. Sit with our master, purr, and let him pet you. Show him that you can be more than just a hunter. This way, you will always have enough to eat."

The skinny cat decided to try his brother's advice. He started spending more time with their master, being friendly and playful. Soon, he found that he no longer had to hunt so hard for food. Their master began to share his meals with him too.

From that day on, both cats lived happily. They enjoyed their master's company and never went hungry again, for they had learned that thriving in life does not always come from hard work alone, but from being clever and building good relationships with others.

Once upon a time, there were two cat brothers. Now, these weren’t just any old alley cats; they came from a family of the fanciest felines, known for their luxurious fur and impeccable manners—well, at least one of them. The other one, well, let’s just say he was more of a "street food connoisseur" than a five-star diner.

The first cat was as round as a fluffy pillow, with fur so shiny you could almost see your reflection in it. He spent his days lounging in the sun, nibbling on the finest fish, and getting belly rubs that would make any other cat green with envy. He was living the dream, a life of luxury and endless snacks, like some sort of feline royalty.

The second cat, on the other hand, was skinny as a twig, with fur that looked like it had been through one too many laundry cycles. He spent his days chasing after mice, who were apparently training for the Mouse Olympics because they always managed to escape. No matter how hard he tried, his stomach was never quite full, and he had the hangry mood to prove it.

One day, after yet another failed attempt at catching the fastest mouse in the West, the skinny cat stomped over to his brother (well, as much as a cat can stomp) and demanded, “How is it that you’re always so plump and happy, while I’m out here running the rodent relay just to get a snack?”

The fat cat, barely lifting an eyelid from his sun-soaked nap, purred lazily, “Ah, my dear sibling, you see, you’ve got it all wrong. You’re out there sweating your whiskers off, chasing after mice like they’re about to win the lottery. But me? I’ve found a much easier way.”

The skinny cat tilted his head, confused. “Easier way? What, you’ve got a secret stash of cat treats somewhere?”

The fat cat chuckled, his belly jiggling like a bowl of catnip jelly. “No, no, nothing like that. I just spend my time with our human. You know, the big one with the funny smells and the strange habit of talking to us like we’re going to answer back. I make him laugh, do a little purring, and bam! He gives me the good stuff—fish, chicken, you name it. No running, no chasing, just a little charm and voilà, dinner is served!”

The skinny cat was puzzled. “But I’m a cat! I don’t know how to do tricks or tell jokes. What do you want me to do, juggle mice?”

The fat cat rolled over, laughing so hard his belly almost rolled off his side. “No, no, no juggling necessary. Just be yourself, but, you know, the friendlier, less ‘I’m-going-to-pounce-on-you’ version. Sit next to him, purr a little, let him rub your head. It’s all about the vibe. Give it a try, and I guarantee you’ll be munching on the good stuff in no time.”

Determined to give it a shot (and really, really tired of losing to those speedy mice), the skinny cat decided to follow his brother’s advice. He sauntered over to their human, curled up next to him, and let out his best purr. At first, it felt a bit strange—he was used to chasing things, not charming them. But soon enough, their human smiled, scratched behind his ears, and—wouldn’t you know it—slipped him a piece of fish!

Before long, the skinny cat realized he didn’t need to chase mice to fill his belly anymore. With a little charm and some well-timed purring, he was eating like a king too. And so, the two cat brothers spent their days lounging together, happily munching on all the treats their human would share, having discovered that sometimes, it’s not about working harder, but about working smarter (and, you know, giving really good purrs).

And they lived happily ever after, with full bellies and zero interest in running after anything that wasn’t served on a silver platter.

Two cat brothers, born side by side,
One was plump with a gentle stride.
The other was thin, his fur so rough,
His days were long, his nights were tough.

The fat cat lived like a king each day,
With food to eat and time to play.
His fur was smooth, his belly round,
He never searched, his meals were found.

The skinny cat hunted, day and night,
Through every corner, with all his might.
But food was scarce, his hunger grew,
His meals were few, his hopes were too.

One day he asked, "Oh brother dear,
Why do you feast while I live in fear?
You seem so full, yet I work so hard,
Tell me, how do you play this card?"

The fat cat smiled and softly purred,
"My way is simple, just mark my word.
I charm our master, make him glad,
And for this, I am never sad."

"You see," he said, "it's not just mice,
But making friends, being warm and nice.
I sit and purr, and with a grin,
Our master shares, I always win."

The skinny cat thought and gave it a try,
He purred and played, gave a gentle sigh.
Soon he found, with joy so sweet,
He had more food, plenty to eat.

Now both cats live with a happy purr,
Their days are bright, their lives a blur.
For they had learned, with hearts so light,
That clever ways bring true delight.

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Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the fat cat had plenty to eat without working as hard as the skinny cat?
  2. How did the skinny cat’s approach to getting food change after he listened to his brother’s advice?
  3. Can you think of a time when building a good relationship helped you get something you needed?
  4. Why is it important to be both hardworking and clever, like the fat cat?
  5. What does this story teach us about the value of relationships and thinking beyond just hard work?

Fable Quotes

"It's not about working harder, but smarter."
"Those who adapt to change thrive in any environment."
"Perseverance is not just about effort, but also about finding smarter ways to live."
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