One sunny morning, Cat and Mouse decided to be the best of friends and live together in a little cozy house. "Let’s share everything," said Cat, smiling sweetly. Mouse squeaked happily, "Yes, everything! We'll be partners forever!" But while Mouse was busy with cleaning and cooking, Cat had other ideas bubbling in her head.

Before winter arrived, they decided to store a pot of delicious pudding to keep them cozy during the cold days ahead. "We’ll save it for later," said Mouse. Cat agreed, but her eyes sparkled with a sneaky thought. They hid the pot in a safe spot under the floorboards and promised not to touch it until winter truly came.

One afternoon, Cat grew hungry and restless. She stretched lazily and said to Mouse, "I’ve just remembered, I was asked to be godmother to a kitten! I must go to the christening." Mouse believed Cat’s story and wished her well. Off went Cat, but instead of going to a christening, she tiptoed to the hidden pudding pot, licked off the top layer, and purred with satisfaction. When she returned, Mouse asked, "What was the kitten’s name?" Cat hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Top-Off."

Mouse thought the name was odd but didn’t question it. A few weeks later, Cat grew hungry again. "Another kitten needs a godmother," she lied. "I must go!" Once again, Mouse waved goodbye, and Cat snuck off to the pudding pot. This time, she ate halfway through the pudding. When she returned, Mouse asked, "What’s the new kitten’s name?" Cat grinned slyly and said, "Half-Gone."

Mouse blinked suspiciously at Cat but said nothing. As winter drew closer, Cat’s hunger grew stronger, and she couldn’t resist a third trip to the pudding pot. "Another christening," she announced and hurried away. This time, she gobbled up every last bit of the pudding. When she came back, Mouse asked, "What’s the kitten’s name?" Cat replied with a sly smirk, "All-Gone."

Finally, winter arrived, and Mouse cheerfully suggested they fetch their pudding treat. But when they uncovered the pot, it was empty! Mouse turned to Cat with wide, shocked eyes. "What happened?" Cat shrugged innocently, but her whiskers twitched guiltily.

Mouse thought hard and suddenly remembered the strange kitten names: Top-Off, Half-Gone, and All-Gone. "You ate the pudding, didn’t you?" Mouse asked, pointing a tiny paw. Cat didn’t deny it. Instead, she grinned mischievously and said, "I couldn’t help myself!"

Mouse huffed, feeling betrayed. "That’s not what partners do!" she squeaked. From that day on, Mouse decided it was better to live alone than share a house with someone who didn’t keep promises.

And so, Mouse learned an important lesson: True friends share and care.