A CAT-Y TALE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

A CAT-Y TALE.

Long years ago in Japan the very first dog and the. very first cat lived with an old couple, who loved and petted them all the time.

Enu thQ dog was a faithful little fellow, and Neeko was a sleek black pussy, the best of chums going!

But trouble came to the little Japanese homestead' with its' thin paper walls and low thatched roof. A mischievous raven hopped into the room one morning, and seeing -an old luck 'r'w' up the tasu (cupboard) he carried it on to his nest.

Now Madame Toko prized that ring more than anything else in life.

"Ai! Ai!" she cried in terrible distress. "Now everything will be bitter bad. All our good luck and joy are gone with that precious, priceless treasure."

"Do not weep," said her old husband, as he did all he could to comfort her.

Day by day she grew thinner and more unhappy, until she lay down beneath her wadded quilt and was too weak and ill to get up at all.

"Oh! What can we do," cried Enu with a low howl of grief. "Somehow or other we must get back the ring of luck or our beloved mistress will die."

Neeko had stopped purring so much, and now she even forgot to wash her face!

"The raven's nest is in the tall camphor tree on the edge of the bamboo grove, but I cannot climb so high," groaned Enu.

"I could," said Neeko, with a touch of pride and superiority, "but the great big river flows between, and I cannot swim so far."

"Well, then, let us go together," said Enu eagerly. "You shall ride over on my back, and we'll bring back the ring? Then all will bo peace and joy, for our dear mistress will soon get well again."

So they made a solemn bargain, for Enu threw up a high mound of earth in the garden, and Neeko scratched her marks on the cherry tree near.

After this they set off at once, and Enu swam swiftly and carefully across the great wide river. It was not at all easy with Neeko's weight on his back; indeed, he could hardly manage it at all. At last they reached the other side and scampered off together.

They had a long way to go, but, joy, there was the old camphor tree in front of them near the golden bamboo grove. "See, see," cried Enu, trembling with excitement. "There' is that wicked raven's nest up on that huge branch. Oh! Neeko, can you ever get up there? If only, if only I could."

Now Neeko proud and conceited; so she tossed her head and spat out some scornful words. "Oh, you, indeed. Why, you are too afraid to climb anywhere lest you might break your precious bones or maybe your precious neck. What a miserable coward always to stick so close to the ground. Just see me now."

With a long, graceful swing Neeko was up the tree, swiftly .jumping from branch to branch. Poor Enu, shivering with longing underneath, could only swallow hard and bark with astonishment. With a flying leap Neeko came down on the raven's nest. What a noise and what a clatter. In a few seconds the black cat came proudly jumping down, her head held high, and in her mouth the ring of luck. Enu barked praise and admiration, for he was much too pleased to mind her scorn. He got her up on his back when they reached the river, and nearly got drowned trying to avoid every little wave for fear it might upset her. They started home together as quickly as possible. Neeko carrying the ring in great triumph.

But, alas, on the way there were several Japanese houses. Enu had to run round these, whilst Neeko jumped Clear across the roofs. Of course, she reached home first, and racing in to her mistress dropped the ring of luck on her face. At its magic touch the old lady awoke. "Neeko, Neeko, my clever pet, my wonderful little pussy! Wherever have you found my treasure? Oh, master!" she called to her husband. "Quickly bring forth the chicken just cooked for my dinner and give it to my precious cat. She is the best and cleverest one in the world."

So Neeko had the feast of her .life, and just as she was finishing Enu appeared. He was wet, mujjdy, panting, and exhausted, for a fierce animal had attacked and almost killed him on the road.

His master looked at him with scorn. "See, now the careless, ungrateful one. who goes off hunting and fighting when his poor mistress lies ill and in misery! He never troubled to find the ring "of luck and save her life. All her love and goodness are forgotten in a moment. Outside, you ungrateful dog; it is our precious Neeko that has brought our luck home again."

Enu glared at Neeko; surely she would tell of their bargain and of his goodly share in securing the ring! Not she. Neeko was far too busy purring away and carefully washing her face.

Then Enu went out to the garden where the marks on the cherry tree showed plain beside his little mound. Ho looked at them, and swore that for ever and ever he and all his race would never have any friendship with mean little cats that could only run straight when a dog was chasing them! So, "a dog must never love a cat, Because long years ago She did betray an honest friend, Who then became her foe."