This tale seems to have been originated in the oral tradition and later moved to a literary form. Again, its literary form may have given birth to different variations. The earliest reference to this tale is found in Fernán Caballero's "Lágrimas" (1839) and "La Gaviota" (1856), but the complete tale is not written until later, in her compilation of tales "Cuentos, oraciones, adivinanzas y refranes populares" (1877). In this early version, the little she-mouse is actually a little ant, but she still marries a mouse, called Ratón Pérez. This little mouse ("ratón" in Spanish), would later inspire Padre Coloma, who would make him part of the Spanish traditional folklore by turning him into a sort of Tooth Fairy.