by Maria Fleming Illustrated (C], \~-J \ / by Ellen Joy Sasaki _.- Once there were two mice who had a restaurant. One day, a cat walked in. "I'll have chicken soup with rice," the cat said. The mice brought the cat a big bowl of soup. But when the cat tasted it, she made a face. "If you want my advice, it needs more spice," said the cat. So the mice went back to the kitchen. They added a pinch more spice to the soup. "Mmmmmmm, very nice," they agreed. I I r: 6 "Try it now," the mice said to the cat. She ate a spoonful. "There's still something missing," the cat said. "Maybe it needs some vegetables." , .> \------ \ ~~)( / The mice went back to the kitchen to slice some onions and dice some carrots. They threw them in the soup pot and took a taste. "Very nice!" they agreed. But that cat was one picky customer. She still didn't like the soup! By now, the mice were tired and hot. They put ice on their heads to cool off. They sat down to think. \ \ _ \--- 1-1 Just then, the cat peeked into the kitchen. She looked at the bowl of soup on the counter. She looked at the mice. "I think I know what the soup needs," said the cat. The cat grabbed the soup bowl. Then she grabbed the mice. "Yum! Chicken soup with mice," said the cat. "Now that's a dish I know I'll like!" The cat started walking back to the table. The mice knew they had better think fast. f 0 Q (\ r~i/ >•. Suddenly, the mice remembered the ice cubes under their hats. Quick as a flash, they tossed them on the floor. 1(10 ;) " '\ ((;,\ \ I / c!7) "\ (( I. I ) "YEEEEEE-OWWWWWW!" as she slipped on the ice. the cat yelled 11)1"- "That wasn't very nice," the mice scolded the cat. Then they pushed the cat out the door and slammed it behind her. "She'll think twice before she comes in here again," they said. 1(12 And that was the last the mice ever saw of the cat. Although, they still get their share of picky customers. Listen to the riddle se