"Don't stand so close to me, I say: I'm a tiger cub at play! I'm not Barsik, fluffy and meek— A dangerous striped beast, so to speak!
So what if I have no claws? I still catch mice without a pause. One glance alone brings dread and fear. Not roaring? Well, I have a cold, my dear!
But in my family line, I know, Lions and tigers steal the show! So don't joke with me, beware! Oh, how the fleas bite everywhere...".
The kitten spoke with his reflection, Practicing with fierce affection, Making scary faces bright, Showing off with all his might.
But the little mouse just laughed, Finishing her cheese by half. Mousetraps didn't scare her one bit, She was clever, full of wit!
"Look here, look here, I say! A tiger's come to save the day! This scrawny cat's so funny, see, I'll split my sides with glee!
You can't even meow just right, You'd do better with a squeal so tight! You're not a tiger, don't you see— You're a piglet, just like me!".
The little jester laughed away, And mockery began to play, Buzzing round like little flies, Biting the kitten's ears and eyes.
But the kitten wasn't scared, He made his whiskers stand prepared, And pounced upon the rascal quick, But knocked a vase down with a trick!
The cups went flying, curtains too... It looked like thieves had broken through, What chaos and what a mess, The whole house was in distress.
The mouse could not be caught that day, Though it seemed easy, come what may, For tigers all things should be light— But catching mice proved quite a fight!
Then mother cat came to the scene, And calmed things down, if you know what I mean: "Just wait a bit, my little one, And catching mice will be such fun!".
