Part 1 of 2
AFTER he was tamed by Woman, Wild Man tamed Wild Cow and Wild Horse with food and shelter, but not Wild Cat. ‘I am the Cat who walks by himself’ he said haughtily, ‘and all places are alike to me’.
And Woman laughed, for though the wild woods were cold and wet, the Cat would not serve.
But at that, the cat grew sly. ‘For three words of praise from your lips’ he said, ‘will you let me enter your cave, and sit by your fire, and drink Wild Cow’s milk, for ever and ever?’
Woman laughed again, and agreed the bargain, for three words of praise would never pass her lips.
But one day the Bat, little upside down Bat that lived in the Cave, told the Cat that there was now a baby in the family. ‘Ah’ said the Cat. ‘My time has come’.
Précis
In the beginning of days, Man tamed all the wild animals with food and shelter except the cat, who refused to work in exchange. Instead, he struck a bargain with Woman, that for three words of commendation from her he could live in idle luxury. Confident she would never say them, she agreed; but then a baby came along. (59 / 60 words)
Part Two
ONE morning when she was busy in the Cave, the Woman blessed whoever had kept her baby quiet in the garden so long.
At that, the curtain of the cave bore witness to her hasty bargain, and parted to let the Cat march triumphantly into the cave.
The Woman scolded herself soundly, but that made Baby cry, until the Cat played with him and rubbed him, and he giggled himself to sleep. Then the Woman, unthinking, blessed the Cat again.
At that, the fire bore witness to her bargain, and blew forth a cloud of soot. When it cleared, there was the Cat by the fire. Tight-lipped, the Woman went to make supper.
‘Is that mouse’ inquired the Cat presently ‘part of your meal?’ The Woman screamed; but so expertly did the Cat dispatch the mouse that Woman could not stop herself praising his skill a third time.
At that the milk jug bore witness to her bargain, and cracked at the cat’s very paws.
Précis
Despite her resolve, three words of commendation were forced from Woman by the scheming cat. He played with her baby when Woman was busy, soothed her baby when it cried, and caught a mouse. Woman conceded defeat, but also reminded the cat that her Man had not yet had his say on their bargain. (54 / 60 words)