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and more Tiny Tales at 100Words.LauraGibbs.net.
Apud monachos catus quidam habitat.
Mures capit et interficit,
uno magno ratto excepto.
Cogitat catus,
"Quomodo rattum illum magnum decipere possum?"
Catus sibi coronam radit,
et cucullam induit,
se faciens monachum.
Catus inter monachos sedet,
monachorum cibum comedens.
Catum pium videns, rattus cogitat,
"Catus nunc bonus monachus est!"
Saltat igitur huc et illuc.
Catus, dissimulans, oculos suos avertit.
Tandem rattus secure appropinquat ad catum,
et catus statim unguibus rattum capit.
Dicit rattus,
“Quare talem crudelitatem facis?
Quare me non dimittis?
Nonne monachus factus es?”
Dicit catus,
“Quando volo, sum monachus;
quando volo, catus canonicus sum.”
Et devorat rattum illum magnum.
Dictionary help:
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Here is the version of the fable in Mille Fabulae et Una:
Mille Fabulae et Una: 390. Catus Monachus.
In quodam refectorio fuit quidam murilegus, qui omnes mures, excepto uno magno ratto, cepit et interfecit. Cogitavit catus qualiter murem illum magnum deciperet et devoraret. Tandem fecit sibi radi coronam; induit cucullam et fecit se monachum; inter alios monachos sedit et comedit. Videns hoc, rattus gavisus est, credens quod nollet ei nocere. Saltavit igitur rattus huc et illuc, et catus, dissimulans, oculos suos a vanitate avertit. Tandem secure rattus appropinquavit ad catum. Catus vero cum unguibus viriliter rattum cepit et firmiter tenuit. Dixit rattus, “Quare talem crudelitatem facis? Quare me non dimittis? Nonne monachus factus es?” Dixit catus, “Numquam ita bene praedicabis quod te dimittam, frater. Quando volo, sum monachus; quando volo, sum canonicus.” Et devoravit rattum.
And here is an English version of the fable. This is not a translation; it's another version of the same story in 100 English words.
100-Words: Brother Cat and Brother Rat
And here is an English version of the fable. This is not a translation; it's another version of the same story in 100 English words.
100-Words: Brother Cat and Brother Rat
The abbey cat had caught and killed all the mice except for one last rat.
To catch that last rat, the cat had to be sneaky, so he shaved his head like a monk and put on a monk's robe.
The rat rejoiced, supposing he was now safe. "Peace upon you, brother," said the rat to the cat, and the cat lowered his eyes piously.
Then, when the rat came closer, the cat grabbed him.
"Stop it!" squealed the rat. "Aren't you a monk now?"
"Only when I feel like it," replied the cat, and then he ate the rat.