"The Cat That Walked by Himself" fom Just So Stories
A man and a woman lived in a cave. The woman always told the man, "Wipe your feet before you come in." There was a fire down in the cave.
And then the dog went to see the fire and the dog asked the cat to come and the cat said, "No I'm the wild cat that walks by itself." The dog went and the cat followed. [secretly] He asked what was the light. in the cave. Then the dog becomes the guys helper to hunt. [she offered him all the tasty bones he could eat if he helped the man and gaurded the cave at night]
Then the horse goes. And asked why the wild dog didn't come back. She says, "Its not a wild dog anymore." The dog was out hunting with the man. When he comes back, she says when you go out hunting ride the horse. [she offered the horse sweet cut grass if it would let the man ride him]
Then the cow goes. and asked why the horse and dog are waiting. Then the cow was helping to give them warm milk. [also for grass]
The cat goes. If she she says one praise to the cat, he's allowed to come in the cave. If she says two praises for the cat, allowed to go down to the fire. If she says three, the cat is allowed to drink milk three times a day.
The cat told her there was a mouse on the floor. She jumps on the chair and the cat asks if she wants him to eat it. The woman said yes if you do I'll give you a hundred thanks. Then the cat hops right on it and eats it. [she praises him when he makes the baby laugh, and she praises him when he puts the baby to sleep with his purr]
The man and the dog and the horse came back. And he asked why is the wild cat in here. The dog said, "If you go out I'll bite you." The dog showed his teeth. The man says he has two boots and says, "If I ever see you again I will throw them at you." The man was sitting by the fire with warm milk.
The cat got chased and went up the tree. At night the cat went out. |
