Say Cheese

Cheese was the rat’s biggest weakness. One day, while peering through the display window, he spotted a mouthwatering pile of cheese inside the local supermarket.

"Um, this must be so tasty. I have to get it at any cost," he thought to himself. Driven by craving, he crafted a detailed plan to break into the shop after dark.

Excited, he shared his scheme with his best friend. But his friend immediately shook his head. "You are asking for trouble. Do you think the owner is a fool? He must have set traps all over the shop."

The rat ignored the warning. His determination—and his appetite—won out.

When night fell, the supermarket went quiet, and the owner locked up and went home. Slipping through a crack under the door, the rat made a sneaky entry. The moment he caught sight of the yellow treasure, all caution vanished.

He rushed forward and grabbed the block. SNAP!

A loud noise echoed through the empty aisles.

"Oh no, I’m trapped!" the rat screamed. The heavy metal bar had slammed down, pinning his tail firmly to the wooden base. "My overconfidence brought me right into this trap!"

He cried for help, but the dark, silent store offered no reply. Panicking, he yanked with all his strength, but the spring was far too tight. Pain shot up his spine.

Think, he told himself, forcing his heart rate to slow down. Panicking won't set me free.

He took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings. Resting just a few inches away was a sturdy, heavy plastic pen that had fallen from the cashier’s counter. Squirming around, he stretched his front paws as far as they could reach until his claws brushed the pen. Dragging it toward him, he wedged the thick end of the pen under the metal bar right next to his tail.

Using the pen as a lever, he pressed down with his full body weight. The metal bar creaked and lifted just a fraction of an inch—barely enough, but it was his only shot. With a desperate surge of energy, he pushed down hard on the pen and yanked his tail free, leaving behind only a few stray hairs.

Bruised and breathing heavily, the rat scrambled to his feet. He looked back at the glistening cheese, then at the snap trap that had almost ended him. He had learned his lesson. Without taking another bite, he scurried back out through the crack in the door, thoroughly cured of his foolish pride.