The Mice That Ate Iron

Abstract

It was expensive to get this book! But it helps fill out the series that Katherine Evans developed. This is her seventh different Aesop title that I have. It is in excellent condition. In this cleverly worked version, Pablo goes off to seek his fortune and leaves his only hereditary possession, an anchor, with Antonio the inn-keeper. Antonio sells the anchor. Pablo comes back with a concertina and a chest. Antonio thinks fast. He has promised to bring something for Pablo to eat. He is looking around for ideas in the cellar when he notices the mice; they suggest to him the idea of iron-loving mice. Antonio thus makes a long face and tells Pablo that mice have eaten the anchor. Pablo says that he has heard of that phenomenon. He asks for Antonio's burro to take his concertina and chest to his lodging. Antonio immediately agrees, for he wants no uproar and no doubts from Pablo about their friendship. A few days later, Antonio objects to the fact that his donkey has not been returned and takes Pablo to the mayor. There Pablo claims that the burro was carried off by an eagle. When Antonio objects, Pablo can come out with his famous line, In a country where a large anchor was eaten by mice, an eagle might easily carry off an elephant. Black-and-white and very pleasing color illustrations alternate on two-page spreads.