"What's the matter with you, old Tom?" asked the donkey.

"You would be sad, too," said the cat, "if you were in my place; for now
that I am getting old and cannot catch mice, they wish to drown me. I
have run away, but how I am going to live, I do not know."

"Come with us to Bremen," said the donkey. "We are going to play in the
band.

I know you love music, as you sing so well at night. You too can join
the band."

"That is just what I should like to do," said the cat.

So the donkey, the dog, and the cat all walked on together.

[Illustration]

After a time the three came to a farmyard.

There on the gate sat a cock, crying "Cock-a-doodle-doo" with all his
might.

"Why are you making so much noise?" asked the donkey.

"Ah," said the cock, "I find I must have my head cut off so that I may
serve as a dinner for Monday. I'm crowing as hard as I can while my head
is still on."