The Tale of Ginger and Pickles

Abstract

Ginger, a yellow tomcat, and Pickles, a terrier, are partners in operating a village shop that offers a variety of goods including red spotty handkerchiefs, "sugar, snuff, and goloshes". Ginger inspires fear in their mouse customers and Pickles their rabbit customers. Ginger's mouth waters as the mice leave the shop with their parcels. However, the pair have a poor grasp of business, extending unlimited credit to absolutely anyone. Consequently no one ever pays for their purchases and the till remains empty. The shopkeepers are eventually forced to eat their own goods.