If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

[DISCLAIMER]

I encourage people to begin practicing rational thinking (that which is in accordance with both logic and reason) with their children, as this is a practice that I don’t recall being taught early in life. Fortunately, there are a number of available resources which can assist with these lessons.

For instance, the children’s picture book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985), written by Laura Joffe Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond, is a teaching tool that I prefer. Describing the book, one source states:

Spoiler alert: If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk, a straw, a broom, crayons, and eventually another cookie. The lesson of the story is simply that actions have consequences, which then lead to new circumstances demanding new actions. Every effect becomes itself a cause.

With the psychotherapeutic modality I practice, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the ABC model is used to demonstrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and one Believes an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s one’s unfavorable assumption and not the occurrence itself that causes an unpleasant Consequence.

From a psychological standpoint, people disturb themselves using a Belief-Consequence (B-C) connection. Of course, this isn’t to suggest that in the context of the naturalistic or physical world there is no Action-Consequence (A-C) connection.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie illustrates the A-C (i.e., cause and effect) relationship in a playful manner. For those interested in teaching children this helpful lesson, it may be useful for you to understand the logical formulation used in the book (though a child may not comprehend these logical constructs). For instance, consider the following syllogism:

Form (modus ponens) –

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Example –

Premise 1: If you give a mouse a cookie.

Premise 2: Then he’ll ask for a glass of milk.

Conclusion: Therefore, if you give a mouse a cookie, then he’ll ask for a glass of milk.

This logical pattern continues throughout the story, as each new request acts as the premise for the next syllogism. For instance:

Form (modus ponens) –

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Example –

Premise 1: If you give a mouse a glass of milk.

Premise 2: Then he’ll ask for a straw.

Conclusion: Therefore, if you give a mouse a glass of milk, then he’ll ask for a straw.

For context, logic is defined as an interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable. A statement, proposition, belief, or otherwise may be logical while at the same time being unreasonable. As an example:

Form (modus ponens) –

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Example –

Premise 1: If mice like milk.

Premise 2: Then only mice should be allowed to drink milk.

Conclusion: Therefore, if mice like milk, then only mice should be allowed to drink milk.

Although this proposition follows logical form, it doesn’t comport with reason which is defined as a statement offered in explanation or justification. In particular, use of the rigid term “only,” as well as the demanding term “should,” renders this proposal unjustifiable.

After all, mice may like milk, though so do cats and humans. Therefore, in order for a statement, proposition, belief, or otherwise to be consider rational it empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason.

Understanding the A-C logic and reason underlying the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie affords an individual to then comprehend the process of self-disturbance which is caused by the B-C connection. To demonstrate this unhelpful process, consider the following syllogism:

Form (modus ponens) –

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Example –

Premise 1: If mice shouldn’t enjoy milk like cats and humans do.

Premise 2: Then it would be awful if wretched vermin were ever to be given any milk.

Conclusion: Therefore, if mice shouldn’t enjoy milk like cats and humans do, then it would be awful if wretched vermin were ever to be given any milk.

When using inflexible beliefs of this sort, an individual transitions from descriptive to prescriptive rules of oneself, others, and life in general which allow no deviation from these unhelpful B-C self-narratives. Thus, a person using such beliefs will self-disturb.

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of these unproductive assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Noteworthy, Actions and Consequences aren’t Disputed, as only unproductive Beliefs are challenged.

Aside from the ABC model, REBT uses the technique of unconditional acceptance to relieve suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.

Once an individual is able to teach a child about the basics of rational thinking, then discussions about how core irrational beliefs cause self-upset can then occur. Also, children may be taught to un-disturb themselves. One may be surprised about how capable children are at understanding these A-C and B-C connections.

In closing and as a matter of personal amusement, not intended for children, Robot Chicken has a humorous adaptation of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie that ends in illogically and unreasonably-fueled behavior. Now, who wants a cookie?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Family Fox. (2020, October 29). Robot Chicken - Give a Mouse a Cookie #FamilyFox compilation [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/AdOOgivAYno?si=mTBMpGtFM87yW9Qp

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2024, August 7). Awfulizing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/awfulizing

Hollings, D. (2025, January 28). Consequence-free environment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/consequence-free-environment

Hollings, D. (2024, March 19). Consequences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/consequences

Hollings, D. (2024, June 12). Core irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/core-irrational-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness

Hollings, D. (2022, October 5). Description vs. prescription. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/description-vs-prescription

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Empirical should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empirical-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2025, March 5). Five major characteristics of four major irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/five-major-characteristics-of-four-major-irrational-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2023, September 13). Global evaluations. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/global-evaluations

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2025, March 4). Justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/justification

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2025, March 16). Modus ponens. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/modus-ponens

Hollings, D. (2024, September 27). My attitude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-attitude

Hollings, D. (2024, April 22). On disputing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-disputing

Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2024, January 4). Rigid vs. rigorous. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rigid-vs-rigorous

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought

Hollings, D. (2023, September 6). The absence of suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-absence-of-suffering

Hollings, D. (2022, December 23). The A-C connection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-a-c-connection

Hollings, D. (2022, December 25). The B-C connection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-b-c-connection

Hollings, D. (2022, November 2). The critical A. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-critical-a

Hollings, D. (2024, September 17). The E-C connection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-e-c-connection

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2025, January 9). Traditional ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/traditional-abc-model

Hollings, D. (2024, October 20). Unconditional acceptance redux. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance-redux

Hollings, D. (2023, March 11). Unconditional life-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-life-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, February 25). Unconditional other-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-other-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, March 1). Unconditional self-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-self-acceptance

Poythress, J. (2022, September 23). When “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” is all the logic left. Reformation21. Retrieved from https://www.reformation21.org/blog/when-if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie-is-all-the-logic-left

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Felicia Bond. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicia_Bond

Wikipedia. (n.d.). If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You_Give_a_Mouse_a_Cookie

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Laura Numeroff. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Numeroff

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Robot Chicken. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Chicken