It’s true that we are a nation of animal lovers. Some people prefer dogs, a usually predictable companion, others love cats. Now cats are aloof and independent, they often don’t need the same level of fuss or affection that a dog does. They disappear to places unknown to us and we don’t always know what they’re thinking. This week’s tale perhaps gives us an insight into their mysterious world.
Our story takes us near to the Whitney on Wye area of Herefordshire, where during the year gentlemen from London would come and visit for a couple of weeks to enjoy some salmon fishing. The locals welcomed them with open arms, for a cottager it was a wonderful form of extra income. There were two gentlemen from London who were regular visitors to the area and who would always stay with a widow in her cottage. The cottage was in a pretty, remote spot and not far from the River Wye where they loved to fish. The widow not only enjoyed their money but also their company as she lived alone except for her big old cat, who was getting on in years. From his appearance it was clear he had seen a lot of life. He had lost an eye and his ears were full of scars from his many battles with other cats and wild animals nearby.
The two gentlemen were enjoying their stay as they always did, the fishing was great and the scenery magnificent. However midweek the older man complained of a chill and decided to stay by the fire reading his book, with the old cat dozing on his lap whilst his younger friend went off to fish by himself. As the light began to fade the older man became concerned for his friend, it was not like him to be out this late. As he paced the floor wondering what he should do his friend burst through the door of the cottage looking tired and confused. As they ate supper together the younger man was unusually quiet. It was only when the widow had gone to bed and the two men retired with a whiskey in front of the fire, that he finally began to speak about why he was so late returning. The cat looking for a comfortable spot jumped back on the older man’s lap seemingly wanting to hear all about it too.
The younger man reported having been at their favourite fishing spot when a thick fog descended upon him. In attempt to find his way back to the cottage he got lost in the woods. Spotting a light way in the distance thinking that it must be the cottage he headed in that direction, only for the fog to get thicker and for the light to disappear. In a bit of a panic he decided to climb a mighty oak tree to see if he could locate the light again, which he did. But then something caught his eye as he gazed down into the hollow of the tree. To his amazement there appeared to be a funeral taking place, a coffin surrounded by torches and he could hear singing in the wind. As he looked closer his heart leapt and he couldn’t quite believe what he was witnessing. The coffin which was adorned with a crown and sceptre and the torches were all being carried by cats. Both men were silent at this point, gazing into the fire, it was quite a tall tale to take in. As the younger man had been speaking the old cat had been gazing at him intently, no longer dozing on the older man’s lap. As soon as the man had finished telling his story the cat leapt onto the floor and shouted “Old Peter is dead. I am King of the Cats!” And with that he bolted up the chimney leaving the two men sitting in shock and disbelief, the soot filling the air.
The next morning they awoke to the widow calling out for the cat as he had not returned from his nightly adventures as he normally did. Neither man said a word as they fished that day, both seemed deep in thought mulling over the weird events of the last 24 hours. When they returned for supper that evening, the widow was still calling out for the cat. They could see that she missed his companionship deeply. The men still shook up by events decided to return home early but not before they purchased a new young tom cat for the widow. For they knew what she did not. Her old friend would never be returning, for he was now King of the Cats.
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