A long
time ago a cat caught a sparrow, and licked his lips in
anticipation of the delight he would feel in devouring it. After
playing with it for a time, as cats will, he was going to eat it,
when the sparrow spoke to him.
“The
Emperor’s cat,” said the sparrow, “and all his family, never begin
a meal without washing themselves first. Everybody knows that such
is the custom in polite society.”