Of Cats and Discipline

An Arab Tale

Version en francais ici.

The mom asked her child: eat your potatoes. The child replied: I don’t eat potatoes.

The mom, upset, asked the stick: beat the child. The stick replied: I don’t beat children.

The mom then asked the fire: burn the stick. The fire replied: I don’t burn sticks.

The mom then asked the water: extinguish the fire. The water replied: I don’t extinguish fires.

The mom then asked the camel: drink the water. The camel replied: I don’t drink water.

The mom then asked the knife: slay the camel. The knife replied: I don’t slay camels.

The mom then asked the black-smith: break the knife. The black-smith replied: I don’t break knives.

The mom then asked the rope: strangle the black-smith. The rope replied: I don’t strangle black-smiths.

The mom then asked the mouse: nibble the rope. The mouse replied: I don’t nibble ropes.

The mom then asked the cat: chase the mouse. The cat replied: I WILL CHASE THE MOUSE!

The mouse, terrified, said: I will nibble the rope.

The rope said: I will strangle the black-smith.

The black-smith said: I will break the knife.

The knife said: I will slay the camel.

The camel said: I will drink water.

The water said. I will extinguish the fire.

The fire said: I will burn the stick.

The stick said: I will beat the child.

The child said: I will eat my potatoes.

Our story had now come full circle. Don’t mess with cats.