A bird perched upon a church steeple casts a severe glance over the doings of men.

A mouse’s delight at seeing his old enemy caught in a trap proves short-lived.

A wily predator dons a sheepskin so he can help himself to the whole flock.

Dr Johnson’s cat left James Boswell cold, but the great man himself would do anything to avoid hurting the little fellow’s feelings.

Bede is reminded of another great Christian saint when St Cuthbert shoos some troublesome crows from his barley crop.

The Northumbrian monk was touched by two thieving birds who repented of their misdeeds.