THE CAT THAT WALKED BY HIMSELF

  HEARandattendandlisten;forthisbefellandbehappenedandbecameandwas,OmyBestBeloved,wheameanimalswerewild.TheDogwaswild,andtheHorsewaswild,andtheCoild,andtheSheepwaswild,andthePigwaswild--aswildaswildcouldbe--andtheywalkediWildWoodsbytheirwildlones.ButthewildestofallthewildanimalswastheCat.Hewalkedbyhimself,andallplaceswerealiketohim.

  OfcoursetheManwaswildtoo.Hewasdreadfullywild.HedidnteveobetametillhemettheWoman,aoldhimthatshedidnotlikelivinginhiswildways.ShepickedoutanicedryCave,insteadofaheapofwetleaves,toliedownin;arewedsandonthefloor;aanicefireofwoodatthebackoftheCave;andshehungadriedwild-horseskin,tail-down,acrosstheopeningoftheCave;andshesaid,Wipeyoufeet,dear,whenyouein,andnowwellkeephouse.

  Thatnight,BestBeloved,theyatewildsheeproastedostones,andflavouredwithwildgarlidwildpepper;andwildduckstuffedwithwildridwildfenugreekandwildcoriander;andmarrow-bonesofwildoxen;andwildcherries,andwildgrenadillas.ThentheMaosleepinfrontofthefireeversohappy;buttheWomansatup,bingherhair.Shetooktheboheshoulderofmutton--thebigfatblade-bone--andshelookedatthewonderfulmarksonit,ahrewmorewoodonthefire,andshemadeaMagic.ShemadetheFirstSingingMagitheworld.

  OutiWildWoodsallthewildanimalsgatheredtogetherwheretheycouldseethelightofthefirealongwayoff,andtheywonderedwhatitmeant.

  ThenWildHorsestampedwithhiswildfootandsaid,OmyFriendsandOmyEnemies,whyhavetheManandtheWomagreatlightinthatgreatCave,andwhatharmwillitdous?

  WildDoglifteduphiswildnoseandsmelledthesmellofroastmutton,andsaid,Iwillgoupandseeandlook,andsay;forIthinkitisgood.Cat,ewithme.

  Nenni!saidtheCat.IamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketome.Iwillnote.

  Thenweeverbefriendsagain,saidWildDog,atedofftotheCave.ButwhenhehadgotlewaytheCatsaidtohimself,Allplacesarealiketome.WhyshouldInotgotooandseeandlookandeawayatmyownliking.SoheslippedafterWildDogsoftly,verysoftly,andhidhimselfwherehecouldheareverything.

  WhenWildDogreachedthemouthoftheCaveheliftedupthedriedhorse-skinwithhisnoseandshebeautifulsmelloftheroastmutton,andtheWoman,lookingattheblade-bone,heardhim,andlaughed,andsaid,Hereesthefirst.WildThingoutoftheWildWoods,whatdoyouwant?

  WildDogsaid,OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy,whatisthisthatsmellssogoodintheWildWoods?

  Thentheickeduparoastedmutton-bohrewittoWildDog,andsaid,WildThingoutoftheWildWoods,tasteandtry.WildDogghebone,anditwasmoredeliciousthananythinghehadevertasted,andhesaid,OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy,givemeanother.

  TheWomansaid,WildThingoutoftheWildWoods,helpmyMantohuntthroughthedayandguardthisCaveatnight,andIwillgiveyouasmanyroastbonesasyouneed.

  Ah!saidtheCat,listening.ThisisaverywiseWoman,butsheisnotsowiseasIam.

  WildDogcrawledintotheCaveandlaidhisheadontheWomanslap,andsaid,OmyFriendandWifeofmyFriend,IwillhelpYourMantohuntthroughtheday,andatnightIwillguardyourCave.

  Ah!saidtheCat,listening.ThatisaveryfoolishDog.Abackthroughtheoodswavinghiswildtail,andwalkingbyhiswildloheoldanybody.

  WhentheManwakeduphesaid,WhatisWildDogdoinghere?AndtheWomansaid,HisnameisnotWildDoganymore,buttheFirstFriend,becausehewillbeourfriendforalwaysandalwaysandalways.Takehimwithyouwhenyougohunting.

  nighttheWomancutgreatgreenarmfulsrassfromthewater-meadows,anddrieditbeforethefire,sothatitsmeltlikenew-mownhay,aatthemouthoftheCaveandplaitedahalteroutofhorse-hide,andshelookedattheshoulderofmutton-bothebigbroadblade-bone--andshemadeaMagic.ShemadetheSedSingingMagitheworld.

  OutintheWildWoodsallthewildanimalswonderedwhathadhappeoWildDog,andatlastWildHorsestampedwithhisfootandsaid,IwillgoandseeandsaywhyWildDoghasurned.Cat,ewithme.

  Nenni!saidtheCat.IamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketome.Iwillnote.ButallthesamehefollowedWildHorsesoftly,verysoftly,andhidhimselfwherehecouldheareverything.

  WhentheWomanheardWildHorsetrippingandstumblingonhislongmane,shelaughedandsaid,Hereesthesed.WildThingoutoftheWildWoodswhatdoyouwant?

  WildHorsesaid,OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy,whereisWildDog?

  TheWomanlaughed,andpickeduptheblade-boneandlookedatit,andsaid,WildThingoutoftheWildWoods,youdidnotehereforWildDog,butforthesakeofthisgoodgrass.

  AndWildHorse,trippingandstumblingonhislongmane,said,Thatistrue;giveitmetoeat.

  TheWomansaid,WildThingoutoftheWildWoods,bendyourwildheadandwearwhatIgiveyou,andyoushalleatthewrassthreetimesaday.

  Ah,saidtheCat,listening,thisisacleverWoman,butsheisnotsocleverasIam.WildHorsebenthiswildhead,andtheWomanslippedtheplaitedhidehalteroverit,andWildHorsebreathedontheWomaandsaid,OmyMistress,andWifeofmyMaster,Iwillbeyourservantforthesakeofthewrass.

  Ah,saidtheCat,listening,thatisaveryfoolishHorse.

  Abackthroughtheoods,wavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildloheoldanybody.

  WhentheManandtheDogcamebahunting,theMansaid,WhatisWildHorsedoinghere?AndtheWomansaid,HisnameisnotWildHorseanymore,buttheFirstServant,becausehewillcarryusfromplacetoplaceforalwaysandalwaysandalways.Rideonhisbackwhenyougohunting.

  day,holdingherwildheadhighthatherwildhornsshouldnotcatthewildtrees,WildeuptotheCave,afollowed,andhidhimselfjustthesameasbefore;ahinghappenedjustthesameasbefore;asaidthesamethingsasbefore,andwhenWildCoromisedtogivehermilktotheWomaneverydayinexgeforthewrass,theCatwentbackthroughtheoodswavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildlone,justthesameasbefore.Butheoldanybody.AheManandtheHorseandtheDogcamehomefromhuntingandaskedthesamequestionssameasbefore,theWomansaid,HernameisnotWildymore,buttheGiverofGoodFood.Shewillgiveusthewarmwhitemilkforalwaysandalwaysandalways,andIwilltakecareofherwhileyouandtheFirstFriendandtheFirstServantgohunting.

  daytheCatwaitedtoseeifanyotherWildthingwouldgouptotheCave,butnoonemovediWildWoods,sotheCatwalkedtherebyhimself;aheWomanmilkingtheCow,ahelightofthefireintheCave,andhesmeltthesmellofthewarmwhitemilk.

  Catsaid,OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy,wheredidWildCowgo?

  TheWomanlaughedandsaid,WildThingoutoftheWildWoods,gobacktotheWoodsagain,forIhavebraidedupmyhair,andIhaveputawaythemagicblade-bone,andwehavenomoreneedofeitherfriendsorservantsinourCave.

  Catsaid,Iamnotafriend,andIamnotaservant.IamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andIwishtoeintoyourcave.

  Womansaid,ThenwhydidyounotewithFirstFriendonthefirstnight?

  Catgrewveryangryandsaid,HasWildDogtoldtalesofme?

  ThentheWomanlaughedandsaid,YouaretheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketoyou.Yourareherafriendnoraservant.Youhavesaidityourself.Goawayandwalkbyyourselfinallplacesalike.

  ThenCatpreteobesorryandsaid,MustInevereintotheCave?MustIbythewarmfire?MustIneverdrinkthewarmwhitemilk?Youareverywiseandverybeautiful.YoushouldnotbecrueleventoaCat.

  Womansaid,Ikneise,butIdidnotknowIwasbeautiful.SoIwillmakeabargainwithyou.IfeverIsayonewordinyourpraiseyoumayeintotheCave.

  Andifyousaytwowordsinmypraise?saidtheCat.

  Inevershall,saidtheWoman,butifIsaytwowordsinyourpraise,youmaysitbythefireintheCave.

  Andifyousaythreewords?saidtheCat.

  Inevershall,saidtheWoman,butifIsaythreewordsinyourpraise,youmaydrinkthewarmwhitemilkthreetimesadayforalwaysandalwaysandalways.

  Thearchedhisbadsaid,heCurtainatthemouthoftheCave,andtheFireatthebackoftheCave,andtheMilk-potsthatstandbesidetheFire,rememberwhatmyEnemyandtheWifeofmyEnemyhassaid.Aawaythroughtheoodswavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildlone.

  ThatnightwhentheManandtheHorseandtheDogcamehomefromhunting,theWomandidhemofthebargainthatshehadmadewiththeCat,becauseshewasafraidthattheymightnotlikeit.

  CatwentfarandfarawayandhidhimselfiWildWoodsbyhiswildloneforalongtimetilltheWomanfotallabouthim.OnlytheBat--thelittleupside-downBat--thathungiheCave,knewwhereCathid;andeveryeveningBatwouldflytoCatwithneashappening.

  OneeveningBatsaid,ThereisaBabyintheCave.Heisneinkandfatandsmall,andtheWomanisveryfondofhim.

  Ah,saidtheCat,listening,butwhatistheBabyfondof?

  Heisfondofthingsthataresoftandtickle,saidtheBat.

  Heisfondofwarmthingstoholdinhisarmswhenhegoestosleep.Heisfondofbeingplayedwith.Heisfondofallthosethings.

  Ah,saidtheCat,listening,thenmytimehase.

  nightCatwalkedthroughtheoodsandhidveryheCavetillm-time,andManandDogandHorsewenthunting.TheWomanwasbusycookingthatm,andtheBabycriedandinterrupted.SoshecarriedhimoutsidetheCaveandgavehimahandfulofpebblestoplaywith.ButstilltheBabycried.

  TheputouthispaddypaattedtheBabyonthecheek,anditcooed;arubbedagainstitsfatkneesandtickleditusfatwithhistail.AndtheBabylaughed;andtheWomanheardhimandsmiled.

  The--thelittleupside-downbat--thathungihoftheCavesaid,OmyHostessandWifeofmyHostandMotherofmyHostsSon,aWildThingfromtheWildWoodsismostbeautifullyplayingwithyourBaby.

  AblessingonthatWildThingwhoeverhemaybe,saidtheWoman,straighteningherback,forIwasabusywomanthismandhehasdonemeaservice.

  Thatveryminuteandsed,BestBeloved,thedriedhorse-skinCurtainthatwasstretchedtail-downatthemouthoftheCavefelldown--whoosh!--becauseitrememberedthebargainshehadmadewiththeCat,aheWomaopickitup--loandbehold!--theCatwassittingquitefyiheCave.

  OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy,saidtheCat,itisI:foryouhavespokenawordinmypraise,andnowIsitwithintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways.

  ButstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketome.

  TheWomanwasveryangry,andshutherlipstightandtookupherspinning-wheelaospin.ButtheBabycriedbecausetheCathadgoneaway,andtheWomancouldnothushit,foritstruggledandkickedandgrewblatheface.

  OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy,saidtheCat,takeastrandofthewirethatyouarespinningaoyourspinning-whorlanddragitalongthefloor,andIwillshowyouamagicthatshallmakeyourBabylaughasloudlyasheisn.

  Iwilldoso,saidtheWoman,becauseIamatmywitsend;butIwillnotthankyouforit.

  Shetiedthethreadtothelittleclayspindlewhorlaacrossthefloor,araandpatteditwithhispawsandrolledheadoverheels,andtosseditbackwardoverhisshoulderandchaseditbetweenhishind-legsaeoloseit,andpounceddownuponitagain,tilltheBabylaughedasloudlyasithadbeeng,andscrambledafterthedfrolickedallovertheCavetillitgrewtiredaleddowntosleepwiththeitsarms.

  Now,saidtheCat,IwillsingtheBabyasongthatshallkeephimasleepforanhour.Andhebegantopurr,loudandlow,lowandloud,tilltheBabyfellfastasleep.TheWomansmiledasshelookeddownupowoofthemandsaid,Thatwaswonderfullydone.ionbutyouareveryclever,OCat.

  Thatveryminuteandsed,BestBeloved,thesmokeofthefireatthebackoftheCavecamedownincloudsfromtheroof--puff!--becauseitrememberedthebargainshehadmadewiththeCat,ahadclearedaway--loandbehold!--theCatwassittingquitefyclosetothefire.

  OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofMyEnemy,saidtheCat,itisI,foryouhavespokenasedwordinmypraise,andnowIsitbythewarmfireatthebackoftheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways.ButstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketome.

  ThentheWomanwasveryveryangry,adownherhairandputmorewoodonthefireandbroughtoutthebroadblade-boheshoulderofmuttonaomakeaMagicthatshouldpreventherfromsayingathirdwordinpraiseoftheCat.ItwasnotaSingingMagic,BestBeloved,itwasaStillMagidbyandbytheCavegrewsostillthatalittlewee-weemousecreptoutofaerandranacrossthefloor.

  OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy,saidtheCat,isthatlittlemousepartofyic?

  Ouh!Chee!Noindeed!saidtheWoman,andshedroppedtheblade-boneandjumpedupostoolinfrontofthefireandbraidedupherhairveryquickforfearthatthemouseshouldrunupit.

  Ah,saidtheCat,watg,thenthemousewilldomenoharmifIeatit?

  No,saidtheWoman,braidingupherhair,eatitquicklyandIwilleverbegratefultoyou.

  Catmadeonejumpandcaughtthelittlemouse,andtheWomansaid,AhuhaheFirstFriendisnotquioughtocatchlittlemiceasyouhavedone.Youmustbeverywise.

  Thatverymomentandsed,OBestBeloved,theMilk-potthatstoodbythefirecrackedintwopieces--ffft--becauseitrememberedthebargainshehadmadewiththeCat,aheWomanjumpeddownfromthefootstool--loandbehold!--theCatingupthewarmwhitemilkthatlayihebrokenpieces.

  OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy,saidtheCat,itisI;foryouhavespokenthreewordsinmypraise,andnowIdrinkthewarmwhitemilkthreetimesadayforalwaysandalwaysandalways.ButstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketome.

  ThentheWomanlaughedaheCatabowlofthewarmwhitemilkandsaid,OCat,youareascleverasaman,butrememberthatyainwasnotmadewiththeManortheDog,andIdonotknowwhattheywilldowhentheyehome.

  Whatisthattome?saidtheCat.IfIhavemyplatheCavebythefireandmywarmwhitemilkthreetimesadayIdonotcarewhattheManortheDogdo.

  ThateveniheManandtheDogcameintotheCave,theWomantoldthemallthestoryofthebargainwhiletheCatsatbythefireandsmiled.ThentheMansaid,Yes,buthehasnotmadeabargainwithmeorroperMenafterme.Theookoffhistwoleatherbootsaookuphislittlestohatmakesthree)achedapieceofwoodandahatchet(thatisfivealtogether),ahemoutinarowandhesaid,Noillmakeain.IfyoudonotcatchmicewhenyouareintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways,IwillthrowthesefivethingsatyouwheneverIseeyou,andsoshallallproperMendoafterme.

  Ah,saidtheWoman,listening,thisisaverycleverCat,butheisnotsocleverasmyMan.

  TheCattedthefivethings(andtheylookedveryknobby)andhesaid,IwillcatchmicewhenIamintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways;butstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketome.

  NotwhenIamnear,saidtheMan.IfyouhadnotsaidthatlastIwouldhaveputallthesethingsawayforalwaysandalwaysandalways;butIamnowgoingtothrowmytwobootsandmylittlestohatmakesthree)atyouwheneverImeetyou.

  AndsoshallallproperMendoafterme!

  ThentheDogsaid,Waitaminute.Hehasnotmadeabargainwithmeorrsafterme.Andheshowedhisteethandsaid,IfyouarenotkindtotheBabywhileIamintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways,IwillhuntyoutillIcatchyou,andwhenIcatchyouIwillbiteyou.Andsoshallallprsdoafterme.

  Ah,saidtheWoman,listening,thisisaverycleverCat,butheisnotsocleverastheDog.

  CattedtheDogsteeth(andtheylookedverypointed)andhesaid,IwillbekindtotheBabywhileIamintheCave,aslongashedoesnotpullmytailtoohard,foralwaysandalwaysandalways.ButstillIamtheCatthatwalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketome.

  NotwhenIamnear,saidtheDog.IfyouhadnotsaidthatlastIwouldhaveshutmymouthforalwaysandalwaysandalways;butnowIamgoingtohuntyouupatreewheneverImeetyou.Andsoshallallprsdoafterme.

  Thehrewhistwobootsandhislittlestohatmakesthree)attheCat,aranoutoftheCaveandtheDogchasedhimupatree;andfromthatdaytothis,BestBeloved,threeproperMenoutoffivewillalwaysthrowthingsataCatwheheymeethim,andallprswillchasehimupatree.ButtheCatkeepshissideofthebargaintoo.HewillkillmidhewillbekindtoBabieswhenheisinthehouse,justaslongastheydonotpullhistailtoohard.Butwhenhehasdo,aweentimes,ahemoosupandnightes,heistheCatthatwalksbyhimself,andallplacesarealiketohim.ThenhegoesouttotheoodsoruptheWetWildTreesoroWildRoofs,wavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildlone.

  PUSSYsitbythefireandsing,

  Pussyclimbatree,

  Orplaywithasillyoldcorkandstring

  Tomuseherself,notme.

  ButIlikeBinkiemydog,because

  HeLnowshowtobehave;

  So,BihesameastheFirstFriendwas,

  AndIamtheManintheCave.

  Pussywillplayman-Fridaytill

  Itstimetowetherpaw

  Andmakeherwalkonthewindow-sill

  (ForthefootprintCrusoesaw);

  Thenshefluffleshertailandmews,

  Andscratchesandwontattend.

  ButBinkiewillplaywhateverIchoose,

  AndheismytrueFirstFriend.

  Pussywillrubmykhherhead

  Pretendingshelovesmehard;

  Buttheverymiomybed

  Pussyrunsoutintheyard,

  Andthereshestaystillthem-light;

  SoIknowitisonlypretend;

  ButBinkie,hesmyfeetallnight,

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