The Tale of the Pie and the Patty Pan

by Beatrix Potter

"The Tale of the Pie and the Patty Pan" by Beatrix Potter is a children's book written and illustrated in 1903-1905 and published in October 1905. It tells of Ribby the cat, who hosts a tea party for Duchess the dog. Social complications arise when Duchess secretly attempts to swap Ribby's mouse pie with her own veal and ham pie, then fears she has accidentally swallowed a tiny tin patty-pan. Set in the real village of Sawrey near Potter's Hill Top farm, the tale explores etiquette and small-town social relations through charming illustrations.