The Quarrel Of The Cat And Dog

In the childhood of the world, when Adam named all the animals and ruled over them, the dog and the cat were the greatest of friends. They were inseparable companions in their play, faithful partners in their dealings, and devoted comrades in all their adventures, joys, and sorrows. They lived together, shared each other's food, and confided their secrets to no one but themselves. It seemed that no quarrel would ever arise to cause trouble between them.

Then winter came. The cold wind cut through their fur and made them shiver. The bare trees and frozen ground weighed heavily on their hearts, and there was less food. The scarcity grew serious, and hunger plunged them into unhappiness and despair. Doggie became gloomy, while Pussie grew irritable and finally developed a terrible temper.

"We can't go on like this," moaned the cat. "I think we should separate. We can't find enough to share when we are together, but separately we might each find enough food by hunting."

"I think I can help you because I am stronger," said the dog.

Pussie did not argue, but she thought the dog was too good-natured. She knew herself to be sly and intended to rely on that quality for her survival. Doggie was deeply hurt by Pussie's desire to end their friendship, but he said quietly, "If you insist on parting, I will agree."

"It is agreed then," purred Pussie.

"Where will you go?" asked Doggie.

"To the house of Adam," replied the cat quickly. "There are mice there. Adam will be grateful if I get rid of them. I will have food to eat."

"Very well," said the dog. "I will wander farther away."

Then the cat said solemnly: "We must each take an oath never to cross the other's path. That is the proper way to end a partnership. The serpent says so, and he is the wisest of all animals."

They put their right front paws together and gravely repeated an oath never to interfere with each other by going to the same place. Then they parted. Doggie trotted off sadly with his head down. Once he looked back, but Puss did not. She scampered off as fast as she could to the house of Adam.

"Father Adam," she cried, "I have come to be your servant. You are troubled with mice in the house. I can rid you of them, and I ask nothing else for my services."

"You are welcome," said Father Adam, stroking Pussie's warm fur.

Puss rubbed her head against his feet, purred contentedly, and ran off to look for mice. She found plenty and soon grew fat and comfortable. Adam treated her kindly, and she quickly forgot all about her former comrade.

Poor Doggie did not fare so well. He had a rough time. He wandered aimlessly over the frozen ground and could not find even a scrap of food. After three days, weary, paw-sore, and dispirited, he came to a wolf's lair and begged for shelter. The wolf took pity on him, gave him some scraps of food, and let him sleep in the lair. Doggie was very thankful. Sleeping with his ears alert, he heard stealthy footsteps in the night. He told the wolf.

"Drive the intruders away," said his host in a surly tone.

Doggie went out obediently to do so. But the marauders were wild animals and they nearly killed him. He was lucky to escape with his life. After bathing his wounds at a pool in the early morning, he wandered all day again but found nothing. Toward night, when he could barely drag his famished and wounded body along, he saw a monkey in a tree.

"Kind monkey," he pleaded, "give me shelter for the night. I am exhausted and starving."

"Go away, go away, go away!" chattered the monkey, jumping and swinging swiftly from branch to branch. He pulled coconuts from the tree and pelted Doggie to frighten him away.

Poor Doggie crawled away miserably.

"What shall I do?" he moaned.

Hearing the bleating of some sheep, he made his way to them and asked them to take pity on him.

"We will," they replied, "if you keep watch over us and tell us when the wolf comes."

Doggie agreed willingly. After eating some food, he stretched out to sleep like a faithful watch-dog, with one eye open.

In the middle of the night he heard the wolves approaching. Anxious to serve the sheep who had treated him kindly, he jumped up and began to bark loudly. This woke the sheep, and they started running in all directions. Some ran right into the pack of wolves and were killed and eaten. Poor Doggie was heartbroken.

"It is my fault, my fault," he wailed. "I barked too soon. Oh, what an unhappy creature I am. I will keep away from all animals now."

Once again he set off. Whenever he met an animal, he ran in the opposite direction. He traveled along the loneliest paths and hardest routes, and finding food grew steadily harder. At last he grew so weak and thin that he could barely crawl, and he had several narrow escapes from being eaten by ferocious beasts.

One night he came to a house and begged for a morsel of food. It was given. During the night he woke the man and warned him that wild animals were raiding. The man jumped up, seized his bow and arrow, and drove the thieves away. Then he patted Doggie.

"Good dog," he said. "You are a wise animal. Stay with me always. You will find Father Adam kind."

"Father Adam!" cried Doggie in alarm. "I must not stay here."

"Nonsense. I say you must," answered Adam, and Doggie was forced to obey.

In the morning, Pussie learned that the dog had joined the household and complained to Adam.

"The dog broke his oath not to come where I am," she said.

"He did not know you were here," said Adam, wanting peace. "He is very useful. I want him to stay. He won't hurt you. There is room for both."

"No, there isn't," said Puss spitefully, arching her back. "He broke his oath. He is wicked. You dare not overlook his offense."

Poor Doggie stood dejectedly apart, with his tail between his legs.

"I didn't know it was Adam's house, and I was so hungry, miserable, and tired," he said.

But Pussie would not be pacified. She thrust out her claws and tried to scratch her former partner. The dog kept out of her way as much as possible, but she quarreled with him at every opportunity. At last he determined to tolerate her no longer.

"I must leave you, Father Adam," he said. "Pussie is making my life unbearable."

"But I want you," said Adam.

"I'm sorry," said Doggie firmly, "but it is impossible to continue in your service. I have another place at the house of Seth. He wants me too."

"Won't you make friends with Pussie?" asked Adam.

"With pleasure, if she will let me, but she won't."

"You blame each other," said Adam, losing patience. "I can't figure you out. You look like you will quarrel forever."

Adam's words have proved true. Ever since that time, the cat and dog have not agreed, and Pussie will never be friendly again with Doggie.