In a small temple lived a mouse who came out every night to nibble whatever the cook had left out. One night Maharaj-saheb, the old monk who lived in the temple, was awake. He saw the mouse on the kitchen shelf, eating a piece of dry roti. "Little one," he said softly, "did you ask before you ate?" The mouse stopped chewing. "Ask? You are big. You will chase me away if I ask." The monk smiled. "I will not chase you. But the roti was kneaded by the cook's hands, and the wheat was given by the farmer, and the field was watered by the river. Even a tiny thing has a long story behind it. To take without asking is to forget the story." The mouse was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Maharaj-saheb, may I please eat the corner of the roti?" "You may," said the monk. "And tomorrow I will tell the cook to leave a small piece out for you each night, beside the water bowl." From that day the little mouse never ate without first squeaking a small thank-you to the corner of the room where the monk slept.