This story follows Mr. Dog, Mr. Tom Cat, and Mr. Rooster, who each feel unappreciated and unfairly criticized by their owners after perceived failures (not catching a fox, sleeping instead of mousing, being replaceable). Deciding their hard work is forgotten, they run away together to the woods, hoping to be missed. To distract themselves from hunger and sadness, they take turns telling stories highlighting their past skills and cleverness – the dog about catching a raccoon, the rooster about outsmarting his hens, and the cat about chasing a particularly wily mouse. Sharing these tales helps them forget their grievances, and realizing they're hungry and it's likely dinner time, they decide to return home, demonstrating how shifting perspective and recalling one's value can help overcome feelings of being slighted.

This story follows Mr. Dog, Mr. Tom Cat, and Mr. Rooster, who each feel unappreciated and unfairly criticized by their owners after perceived failures (not catching a fox, sleeping instead of mousing, being replaceable). Deciding their hard work is...

The Three Runaways | Animal Stories