- Old and ill, the tailor is in a fix. In retaliation for releasing a batch of mice, Simpkin the cat has hidden the tailor"s last skein of cherry-colored thread. Now the tailor will be unable to finish the new waistcoat promised to the Mayor of Gloucester. Colorful music by The Chieftans evokes the period, flavor, and subtle humor of this wry tale. Full-color book.