` If you would have let me speak to you before , I would have told you that I come as a friend , ' replied the cat ; ` and I shall be greatly obliged if you would send four of the strongest and cunningest among you , to do me a service . ' ` Oh , we shall be delighted , ' answered the rat , much relieved . ` But if you will inform me what it is you wish them to do I shall be better able to judge who is most fitted for the post . ' ' I thank you , ' said the cat . ` Well , what they have to do is this : To-night they must burrow under the walls of the castle and go up to the room were an ogre lies asleep . Somewhere about him he has hidden a stone , on which are engraved strange signs . When they have found it they must take it from him without his waking , and bring it to me . ' ` Your orders shall be obeyed , ' replied the rat . And he went out to give his instructions . About midnight the cat , who was still sleeping before the gate , was awakened by some water flung at her by the head rat , who could not make up his mind to open the doors . ` Here is the stone you wanted , ' said he , when the cat started up with a loud mew ; ` if you will hold up your paws I will drop it down . ' And so he did . ` And now farewell , ' continued the rat ; ` you have a long way to go , and will do well to start before daybreak . ' ` Your counsel is good , ' replied the cat , smiling to itself ; and putting the stone in her mouth she went off to seek the falcon . Now all this time neither the cat nor the falcon had had any food , and the falcon soon got tired carrying such a heavy burden . When night arrived he declared he could go no further , but would spend it on the banks of a river . ` And it is my turn to take care of the stone , ' said he , ` or it will seem as if you had done everything and I nothing . ' ` No , I got it , and I will keep it , ' answered the cat , who was tired and cross ; and they began a fine quarrel . But , unluckily , in the midst of it , the cat raised her voice , and the stone fell into the ear of a big fish which happened to be swimming by , and though both the cat and the falcon sprang into the water after it , they were too late . Half drowned , and more than half choked , the two faithful servants scrambled back to land again .
The falcon flew to a tree and spread his wings in the sun to dry , but the cat , after giving herself a good shake , began XXXXX scratch up the sandy banks and to throw the bits into the stream .
as at by for into on though to with without