The Mice That Ate The Iron

The Mice That Ate The Iron

The mice that ate the ion is a legend from Asia.

A long time ago, a young merchant was heading off on a long trip. He had to travel light, so he took his precious iron weighing scales to a nearby shopkeeper and asked the man to look after them.

‘Certainly,’ said the shopkeeper, ‘I will keep them very safe.’

When the merchant returned from his trip he went back to the shopkeeper to collect his scales.

‘I am sorry,’ said the shopkeeper. ‘I am afraid the mice have eaten them.’

‘Eaten them?’ cried the astonished merchant. He could not believe his ears. ‘They were of solid iron!’

‘It does seem odd,’ said the shopkeeper. ‘But the mice around here love the taste of iron. Especially fine quality iron like that.’

The merchant thought hard as he walked home. ‘That can’t be true. No mouse ever ate iron. That crafty shopkeeper just wants my scales for himself. That is very clear. But how can I prove it?’

The next morning, the merchant went for a cooling swim in the lake. He was still puzzling over the scales when he saw the shopkeeper’s son swimming in front of him. Suddenly, he had a bright idea.

The merchant got out and ran as fast as he could to the shopkeeper’s house. He hammered on the door.

‘Disaster!’ he yelled. ‘Open the door fast. Listen, I was swimming at the lake and a huge crow swooped down and carried off your son!’

‘What?’ gasped the shopkeeper, running out and looking frantically at the sky. Then he frowned. ‘That can’t be true,’ he said. ‘No crow ever carried a person off.’

The merchant shrugged and said nonchalantly, ‘In a land where mice are strong enough to eat iron, I’m sure a crow could easily fly away with your son.’

The shopkeeper burned red with shame. He went inside the house and brought out the scales.

The merchant smiled and took them home. Never again did the shopkeeper tell anyone a lie.

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The Mice That Ate The Iron - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

Always tell the truth like the iron rod, as lies will eventually reveal themselves like the holes in the iron rod eaten by the mice.

The Mice That Ate The Iron - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

Always be prepared and think ahead to avoid facing consequences that could have been easily prevented.

The Mice That Ate The Iron - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

Always be honest and take responsibility for your actions, just like the mice who confessed to eating the iron and saved the innocent cat.

3 Fun Facts

• The mice in the story had teeth as sharp as needles which allowed them to chew through iron.
• The village in the story was facing a huge problem because the mice were eating all the iron objects.
• The clever tailor in the story came up with a unique solution to outsmart the iron-eating mice.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What did the mice find inside the house?
• Why did the mice decide to eat the iron?
• How did the cat help the mice in the end?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What did the mice find in the house?
• What did the wise old mouse suggest to his tribe?
• How did the mice manage to cut the iron?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• What did the mice find in the house?
• What did the wise old mouse suggest to his tribe?
• How did the mice manage to cut the iron?