# Friend Mouse — Zuni Folktales character guide

> Friend Mouse in Zuni Folktales by Frank Hamilton Cushing.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Mouse, The Mouse, mine

**First appearance:** 0001-zuni-folktales

## Snapshot

A grain-loving Mouse whose stolen bread costs him his tail — and sets him plotting a payment in kind.

## Who they are

He lives under the wall of the old woman's corral, with no grandmother to feed him, and grows bold on the Tâkâkâ Cock's tortilla crumbs. Caught mid-theft, he loses his long tail to one hard peck and mourns it as a young dancer mourns his hair, squeaking vengeance. His wounded vanity and patient scheming make him the tale's engine of retribution, a small creature whose grudge against a shameless great beast drives the mischief that follows.

## In the story

### [The Cock and the Mouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/the-cock-and-the-mouse)

The other main character, companion to the Cock, living together and facing challenges.

### [Italian Version](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/italian-version)

Climbs the tree and accidentally injures the cock by throwing a nut.

### [Zuni Version](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/zuni-version)

A mouse who steals food, has his tail bitten off by the Cock, and later takes revenge by tricking the Cock and gnawing off his bristles.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/characters/friend_mouse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/characters