Andrew Barton Paterson
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most people think that the cat is an intelligent animal, fond of ease and caring little for anything but mice and milk. But a cat has really more character then most human beings, and gets a great deal more satisfaction out of life
He-or she-is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter. All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy and allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the people in the house.to pass the time away he sometimes watches a mouse – hole for an hour or two- just to keep himself form dying of boredom .people get this idea that this sort of thing is all that holds life for a cat but watch him as the shades of evening fall. You can see the cat as he really is.
when the family sits down to teach ,the cat puts in an appearance to get his share. He purrs noisily and rubs himself against the legs of the family members. If there is a guest at the table the cat is particularly civil to him, because the guest is likely
to have the best of what is offered. Sometimes, instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat, and say,” poor pussy ! Poor pussy!” That cat soon tires of that. He puts up his claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg. ,,”ow! “say the guest,” the cat stuck his claws into me! That delighted family remarks, “isn’t it sweet of him ? Isn’t he intelligent? He wants you to give him something to eat.”
the guest dares not what he would like to do – kick the cat out of the window. so, with tears of rage and pain in his affects to be very much amused, and sorts out a bit of fish from his plate and hands it down. the cat gingerly receiveshttps://youtu.be/xmar5NdXOuI?si=ecO0hbmoix0OAQUY it, with a look in his eyes that says,
“Another time, my friend, you won’t be so slow to understand.” he purrs as he retires to a safe distance from the guest’s boot before eating his food. When the family has finished tea, and gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room. true life now begins for him. He saunters down his own backyard , springs to the top of the fence, drops lightly down to the other side. he trots across and skips to the roof of an empty shed. his movement become lithe and pantherlike . he looks keenly from side and moves noiselessly, for he has so many enemies -dogs and small boy with stones.https://youtube.com/shorts/EM41yq0OUQ4?si=lpDnMD91HQiwGmLh
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On top of the shed, the cat arches his back and rakes his claws once or twice through the soft bark of the old roof. he stretches himself a few times to see if every muscle is in full working order. then, drooping his head nearly to his paws, he sends a call to his kindred. before long they come, gliding, graceful shadows. no longer are they meek creatures who an hour ago were mewing for fish and milk. they are now grim fighters.
just think how much more he gets out of his life than you do out of yours. and the sports they have, too. as they get older they go in for sport to the suburban backyards. these backyards that are dull to u, are to them hunting ground where they have more gallant adventure than king Arthur’s knights ever had.
It is always spoken as a reproach against cats that they are more fond of their home than of the people in it. naturally, the cat doesn’t like to leave his country, the land where all his friends are, and where he knowns every landmark. exiled in a new land, he would have to learn a new geography. so, when the family moves, the cat, if allowed, will stay at the old house and attach himself to the new tenants.
He will give them the privilege of boarding him while he enjoys life in his own way .