The Cat That Walked By Himself

Once, long ago, all the animals were wild.

But there was a Cave. In the Cave lived a Woman. She made warm fires. She cooked good food.

Dog smelt the food. 'May I come in?' he asked. 'Yes,' said the Woman. 'If you help.' So Dog stayed. He became the First Friend.

Horse smelt the fresh grass she had cut. 'May I come in?' he asked. 'Yes,' said the Woman. 'If you carry things for us.' So Horse stayed too. He became the First Helper.

Cow smelt the sweet grass. 'May I come in?' she asked. 'Yes,' said the Woman. 'If you give us milk.' So Cow stayed. She gave milk.

Then Cat came.

Cat did not want to help. Cat did not want to belong to anyone.

But Cat wanted the warm fire. And Cat wanted the warm milk.

'I will come in,' said Cat, 'but I am not a friend, and I am not a helper. I am Cat, and I go where I please.'

'Then no,' said the Woman.

But Cat was clever. He made the baby laugh. He caught the mouse. He kept the Woman company.

Bit by bit, the Woman said kind things about him. And bit by bit, Cat got the warm fire, and the warm milk, and a place in the Cave.

But at night — when the moon comes up — Cat still goes out. Alone. Walking by himself. Everywhere.

That is why, to this very day, cats do what they please.