Once A Mouse

Story Title: Once a Mouse
Author and Illustrator: Marcus Brown
Genre: Fable
Characters: Mouse and the Hermit

Summary: An old hermit adopted a mouse as a pet. Feeling sorry for the small creature, the hermit magically changed it into a cat, then a dog, and finally a large tiger. The animal became ungrateful and forgot who he once was. He lorded over the other animals and made threats to kill the old hermit. The hermit then decided the mouse should again become a mouse.

Comments: This story has at least two morals that the young reader may recognize. The first is that one should not become to arrogant and proud to remember from where you came. The second is to be kind and considerate to the people who helped you. I recommend this book for the early childhood classroom. this story is appropriate for children from 4 to 8 years old.