The Sneaky Cat

Once upon a time, in a peaceful little village, there lived a kind old woman named Mrs. Meera. She had a small farm where she kept chickens for their eggs. Mrs. Meera was known for her generosity—she often shared fresh eggs with her neighbors and even gave food to stray animals.

Among the animals she cared for was a clever but sneaky cat named Milo. Milo was sleek, with shiny black fur and bright green eyes. He was charming and knew how to win Mrs. Meera’s affection with sweet purrs and gentle rubs against her legs.

But Milo had a secret habit—he was a thief.

Every night, when Mrs. Meera went to sleep, Milo would sneak into the chicken coop and steal eggs. He was careful, never taking too many, so Mrs. Meera wouldn’t notice. He would gobble them up in secret, thinking himself very clever for getting away with it.

One evening, as Milo was about to sneak into the coop, a little mouse named Tiku saw him.

“Milo!” Tiku squeaked. “What are you doing?”

Startled, Milo turned and hissed. “None of your business, little mouse! Go away, or I’ll eat you!”

Tiku trembled but stood his ground. “Mrs. Meera trusts you. She feeds you and gives you shelter. If you steal from her, you’re betraying her kindness.”

Milo flicked his tail arrogantly. “She has plenty of eggs. She won’t even notice.”

Tiku shook his head sadly and scurried away.

The Truth Comes Out

The next morning, Mrs. Meera went to collect eggs but found fewer than usual. She frowned but thought perhaps the hens hadn’t laid as many. However, day after day, the number of eggs kept decreasing.

Worried, she decided to keep watch. That night, she hid near the coop and waited.

Sure enough, just as the moon rose high, she saw Milo slinking toward the chickens. Her heart sank as she watched him snatch an egg and run off into the shadows.

The next morning, Mrs. Meera called Milo to her. He purred and rubbed against her legs, thinking she would pet him as usual.

But her voice was firm. “Milo, I saw you stealing eggs last night.”

Milo froze. His ears flattened, and his tail drooped.

“I trusted you,” Mrs. Meera said sadly. “I gave you food and shelter, and you repaid me by stealing from me.”

Milo lowered his head in shame. “I… I’m sorry.”

Mrs. Meera sighed. “I can’t trust you anymore, Milo. From now on, you must leave my farm.”

The Consequences of Dishonesty

Milo’s heart ached as he walked away. He had lost the only home he had known—all because of his greed and lies.

He wandered the village, hoping someone else would take him in. But word had spread about his theft, and no one wanted a sneaky cat in their home. Even the other animals avoided him.

Hungry and lonely, Milo sat under a tree, regretting his actions. Tiku, the little mouse, saw him and approached cautiously.

“You see, Milo,” Tiku said softly, “dishonesty breaks trust forever. Once people know you can’t be trusted, it’s very hard to earn it back.”

Milo nodded, tears in his eyes. “I wish I had listened to you.”

A Second Chance?

Months passed, and Milo lived as a stray, surviving on scraps. One cold winter night, he saw Mrs. Meera struggling to carry firewood. Without thinking, he ran to her and helped push the logs toward her door.

Mrs. Meera looked at him in surprise. “Milo?”

He meowed softly, his eyes pleading.

She hesitated but then sighed. “You helped me just now. Maybe you’ve learned your lesson.”

Milo rubbed against her leg gently, this time not out of trickery, but true remorse.

Mrs. Meera patted his head. “I’ll give you one more chance. But remember—trust is precious. Once broken, it’s hard to mend.”

Milo purred gratefully, vowing never to betray her trust again.

The Moral of the Story

From that day on, Milo stayed loyal and honest. He protected the chickens instead of stealing from them and became a beloved guardian of the farm.

Moral of the Story: Dishonesty may bring short-term gains, but it destroys trust forever. Once broken, trust is difficult to rebuild. Always choose honesty, for it is the foundation of all strong relationships.

The End.