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The Cat and the Rats
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North Africa |
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A certain cat decided to go on the hijja a, the pilgrimage
to the Holy City. He told the rats of his intention, and set off. When he
came back after a long time, he was wearing a white burnouse[1]
and a white turban, like all the learned men in the land. He received the
chief of the rats who came to pay him homage as a Muslim scholar. The cat
announced: "I have learned many truths, among others I have been taught
that it is bad to eat rats, so your people no longer have to worry. From now
on I will live like the Holy Prophet, on dates, milk and barley bread."
The rat-king bowed, took his leave and went to tell his people what the cat
had said. |
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The next morning they saw the cat approaching, but
he did not seem interested in the rats. He was walking slowly, all the while
mumbling, as he read in the Holy Book. He did not seem in the least hungry,
but just walked up and down the path past the ratholes, with his eyes fixed
on the sacred text. |
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Gradually, the rats began to get used to the new
attitude of the saintly cat and reverted to their daily business. |
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At last they had lost all their fear of the cat. So,
one day, two very fat female rats saw the cat approaching but they did not
hide. Suddenly, as he was close to them, the cat leapt on them and caught
them both. A cat may lose his tail, but he will never lose his lust for meat. |
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When the cat is reading prayers, Rats, go, dig a deeper tunnel! |
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