Arthur and Maria, poor farmers indebted to their lord, suffered a devastating farm fire that destroyed their buildings and scattered their animals, leaving only their cats.  Facing the lord's demand for immediate payment, they worked tirelessly, discovering mysteriously finished rows of corn each morning.  This continued until their entire harvest was complete, allowing them to plan payment. However, they awoke to find their crops gone, replaced by a bag of money.  Peeking through a hole, they witnessed their cats, who had secretly harvested the corn at night, celebrating their work.  Grateful for their feline helpers, Arthur rewarded them generously with corn.