Dogedoghadalwaysbeenverylazy, andnowthathisfatherandmotherweredeadandhehadnoonetocareforhim, helivedverypoorly. Hehadlittletoeat. Hishousewasoldandsmallandsopoorthatithadnotevenafloor. Stillhewouldrathersitalldayandidleawayhistimethantoworkandhavemorethings.
Oneday, however, whentherainyseasonwasnearathand, Dogedogbeganthinkinghowcoldhewouldbewhenthestormscame, andhefeltsosorryforhimselfthathedecidedtomakeafloorinhishouse.
Wrappingsomericeinabananaleafforhisdinner, hetookhislongknifeandwenttotheforesttocutsomebamboo. Hehungthebundleofriceinatreeuntilheshouldneedit; butwhilehewasworkingacatcameandateit. Whenthehungrymancameforhisdinner, therewasnoneleft. Dogedogwentbacktohismiserablelittlehousewhichlookedforlorntohimeven, nowthathehaddecidedtohaveafloor.
Thenextdayhewentagaintotheforestandhunghisriceinthetreeashedidbefore, butagainthecatcameandateit. Sothemanhadtogohomewithoutanydinner.
Thethirddayhetooktherice, butthistimehefixedatrapinthetree, andwhenthecatcameitwascaught.
"NowIhaveyou!" criedthemanwhenhefoundthecat; "andIshallkillyouforstealingmyrice."
"Oh, donotkillme," pleadedthecat, "andIwillbeofsomeusetoyou."