The Cat’s Chronicles
There are wise men who have studied cats. There are wiser men who have been tutored by cats. Some speculate TS Eliot was accepted into the tribe. Speculation it is, because like the name of the cat that can’t be revealed, neither can the names of the accepted be shared. How do you know if you are so taken? You just know.
One doesn’t brag about being in the Tribe of Tiger. Elizabeth Marshall Thomas may have been a member, as evidence by the book. Contrary to popular belief, cats have been known to foil burglaries. My grandmother's cat notified her of the gas leak. It was fortunate that my grandmother listened. A catastrophe was diverted.
No one in the family, or friends that visited, liked that cat. It was particularly attached to my grandmother. It tolerated my father. That cat aged out with her, and my when my grandmother crossed over, it was sleeping on her bed. The debate of who would take responsibility for the cat was resolved when the cat decided to cross over at the same time. They both went together.
This was the way. It was well known in the land of Egypt that cats exist in many worlds.
People have observed I am particularly good with cats. I am the quiet one at the party that all cats commune with. I am also the one that owners get miffed that their pets like me more than them. Presently, one of the neighbor cat’s, not bribed by food or enticed by a good brushing, has taken to me. He asks me questions, I answer. He has not been unsatisfied with our talks, if you accept he returns. He is collared, and well groomed, and yet sleeps on my car top, or on the table by my window.
Why? How does one become so chosen? Only the cat knows. It’s not like the owners it adopted have a shortage of cars or lawn chairs.
Who is schooling whom?
People think they adopt cats. It is not so. They adopt us. Take, for example, the young human in the video below. You may think she is demonstrating her opera skills for the camera, but this entire set up was not for her. Sure, she thinks this was her doing, but in truth the entire universe was plotted out in advance by cats, just for this one moment, a star-cat to be born.
Star-cat interrupts. The human is perturbed, as evidence of the look she gives the cat. “Seriously?!” is clearly transmitted into this TikTok feed. She has to start over. Star-cat is looking directly into the camera when it issues a snippet of it’s own operatic vignette. The human is taken back. She laughs. She can not contain her amusement.
Had she been wiser, she would have made this a duet. The duet might have rivaled anything Gioachino Rossini could have formulated. Yes, they could have surpassed the popularity of the Barbara of Seville, had she kept her pose and sang on. The show must go on, you know!
Despite her clear antics, the cat remains serious and issues out several more phrases. In tune. In rhythm. It is not mimicry we see here, but clearly this cat has offered an invitation to those who appreciate the finer arts to realize, it is not just humans who appreciate music, but cats, too.
Grizabella, Mr. Mistoffelees, Baby Yoda, Milton… Yes, you heard me. Milton, the cat that adopted Schrödinger, taught him the secrets of reality- as well as Schrödinger's wife and girlfriend, who both lived in the house at the same time. The Oxford life no one talks about. Oh, you thought ‘yeah, you heard me,’ related to Yoda. After nine lives, cats may incarnate as Yoda’s, or become one with the Force.
Cats have been with us since the beginning, back when we could hear better. Unlike dogs, they were not tamed, they were befriended. This was way back before the great silence. We had a parting of ways after the Egypt fiasco. No grudges. They are wise, they are patient. No Zen master can match their studious gaze, eyes half closed in both worlds, seeing beyond human perception, seeing beyond time. They know where to be. That includes when to be.
It is said they will be with us to the end, as evidenced by this Logan’s Run scene. Human souls were not meant to walk alone. If our spirit guides can’t get our attention directly, they will speak to the cat. These heavenly sprites that travel the multiverse with ease offer us insight into the way. And if a paw slap doesn’t get our attention, it will default to singing.
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Now, just in case you’re a serious Doctor Who fan, tell me this isn’t a young Clara Osborne… This cat call might be for the Doctor.
PS, and for you Star Trek fans…
It’s only logical to like cats!
And this following one, which episode? Quick, quick…
“Are you blind, Mr. Spock. Clearly I am superior. I am black on the LEFT side. That, and I am wearing bow tie. Because bow ties are cool.”
