,pussy & ,doggy ,tales       ,pussy     
& ,doggy           ,tales          ,by  
,e4 ,nesbit    ,)     ,illu/rations     
by     ,l4 ,kemp-,wel*                  
,london                ,j4 ,m4 ,d5t     
,co4                       ,ald9e ,h\se 
#bi  #cj ,b$=d ,/reet           #ahii   
,w4,c4               ,pr9t$ by          
,,ballantyne1 ,,hanson  ,,co4           
,at ! ,ballantyne ,press     ,cont5ts   
,pussy ,tales                           
,,page           ,,too ,,clev] ,,by     
,,half             #c            ,,!    
,,:ite ,,p]sian             #af         
,a ,,p[]ful ,,fri5d             #bf     
,a ,,silly ,,"q              #dj        
,,! ,,selfi% ,,pussy             #dg    
,,m$dlesome ,,pussy              #ed    
,,n9e ,,lives                    #fb    
,doggy ,tales                           
,,page           ,,t9k]                 
#gi            ,,rats6                  
#ie            ,,! ,,tables ,,turn$     
#ajj            ,a ,,noble ,,dog        
#ajh            ,,! ,,dy]',s ,,dog      

#aad            ,,! ,,va9 ,,sett]       
#abc      ,li/ ( ,illu/rations          
,,page   ,i may h no nose1 old man1 b ,i
 smell rats    ,frontispiece            
,page   ,nurse dri$ ! poor1 de>1        
cruelly-us$ kitt5s a little   #aa    ,%e
 0 v beautiful                          
#ag    ,i :o sup]9t5d$ ! writ+ ( 8      
lett]s              #bc    ,s mu* bett] 
to g to sleep 9 front ( x               
#bg    ,n[ ! back ( a c[ is ! la/ place 
:]e y        w\ld look = a cat          
#cc    ,i don't believe a ^w ( x        
#dc    ,i 0 pick$ up 9 ! /reet by a *ild
                    #di    ,! dog saw me
 (f                                     
#ec    ,see+ ! tea set out1 ,i got on ! 
table                  #ei    ,sitt+ up1
 & beg9n+ to wa% ! kitt5's face       v 
h>d inde$                               
#gc    ,! man's arm dragg$ ?r\gh !      
w9d[-pane1       & ,t9k] hang+ on to 8  
f+]s                     #hi    ,x 0 a  
magnific5t fight                        
#ajf    ,he pull$ h] out "s t5 y>ds d[n 

! /ream           #aaa    ,sat 9 ! sun  
on ! dy]'s door/ep                      
#aag    ,i took ! fir/ prize            
#abg     ,pussy ,tales     ,too ,clev]  
by ,half   ,,tell u a /ory1 "m1 said !  
y\nge/ kitt5 b ?ree4  ,y've he>d all my 
/ories1 said ! "m cat1 sleepily turn+   
ov] 9 ! hay4  ,!n make a new "o1 said ! 
y\nge/ kitt51 s p]tly t ,mrs4 ,buff box$
 h] e>s at once--b %e laugh$ too4 ,did y
 ev] he> a cat laugh8 ,p say t cats (t5 
h occasion to d x4  ,i d "k "o /ory1 %e 
said2 b ,i'm n sure t x's true1 ?\gh x 0
 told me by a mo/ respectable br9dl$    
g5tleman1 a great fri5d ( my de> "m's4  
,he said he 0 a second c\s9 tw5ty-n9e   
times remov$ ( ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite1 !    
lady ! /ory is ab\t4  ,oh1 d tell x1    
said all ! kitt5s1 sitt+ up v /raight & 
look+ at _! "m ) gre5 anxi\s eyes4  ,v  
well1 %e said k9dly2 only if y int]rupt 
,i %all leave (f4  ,s !re 0 sil5ce 9 !  
b>n1 except = ,mrs4 ,buff's voice & !   
s(t s\nd ( pleas$ purr+ :i* ! kitt5s    
made z !y li/5$ to ! en*ant+ tale4      

99       99       99       99       99  
,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite seems to h be5 z     
clev] a cat z ev] w5t rat-cat*+ 9 a pair
 ( s(t-sol$ %oes4 ,%e always knew j :]e 
a m\se w\ld peep out ( ! wa9scot1 & %e  
_h h] s(t-%>p paw on him be=e he _h "t  
to "k t he 0 n alone 9 ! room4 ,%e knew 
h[ to cat* nice breakfa/s = h]self & h] 
*ildr51 a trick ,i w tea* y1 my de>s1 :5
 ! spr+ comes2 %e us$ to lie q quietly  
among ! ivy on ! wall1 & !n take ! baby 
birds out ( ! ne/ :5 ! gr[n-up birds _h 
gone to ! grub-%op4 ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite 0
 v clev]1 z ,i said--s clev] t pres5tly 
%e 0 n satisfi$ ) be+ at ! v top ( ! cat
 pr(ession4  ',cat-p h m s5se ?an human 
p1 ( c\rse1' %e said to h]self2 'b /ill 
!re are "s ?+s "o might le>n f !m4 ,i   
mu/ wat* & see h[ !y d ?+s4'  ,s next   
morn+ :5 ! cook gave ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite 
h] breakfa/1 %e notic$ t cook p\r$ !    
milk out ( a jug into a sauc]4 ,t       
aft]noon ,tabby felt ?ir/y1 b in/ead (  
putt+ h] head into ! jug & dr9k+ 9 !    
usual way1--y "k--%e tilt$ up ! jug to  

p\r ! milk out z %e _h se5 ! cook d4 ,b 
cats' paws1 ?\gh !y are s /rong to cat* 
rats & mice & birds1 are too weak to    
hold big br[n jugs4 ,! na/y deceitful   
jug fell (f ! dress] & broke itself4 ',j
 to spite me1 ,i d believe1' said ,mrs4 
,tabby4 ,& ! milk 0 all spill$4  ',n[ h[
 on e>? c\ld t jug h be5 brok58' said   
cook1 :5 %e came 94  ',x mu/ h be5 !    
cat1' said ! kit*5maid2 & %e 0 q "r1 b  
nobody believ$ h]4  ,!n ,mrs4 ,tabby    
,:ite notic$ t human p slept 9 big      
s(t-cu%ion$ :ite b$s1 in/ead ( sleep+ on
 ! kit*5 he>?-rug1 or 9 ! b>n1 l cat p4 
,s %e said to h] *ildr5 "o ev5+--  ',my 
de>s1 we are go+ to move into a new     
h\se4'  ,& ! kitt5s 7 delight$1 & !y all
 w5t up/airs v quietly1 & crept into ! v
 be/ human b$4 ,b un=tunately t b$ _h   
be5 got ready = a human uncle to sleep  
92 & :5 he f\nd ! cats !re he turn$ !m  
out1 n g5tly1 & ?rew boots at !m till !y
 fl$1 pale ) fright to ! ends ( _!      
pretty tails4 ,& next morn+ he told !   
,mi/ress ( ! h\se t horrid ,,cats _h be5

 9 8 b$1 & he v[$ t he w\ld nev] pass   
ano!r night "u a ro( :]e su* ?+s 7      
possible4 ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite 0 v        
glad--because no lady c wi% = ! visits (
 a p]son :o ?r[s boots at h]4 ,b !      
,mi/ress ( ! h\se said sadly1 ',oh1     
,tabby6--y h lo/ u a =tune6' ,& ,tabby =
 all h] clev]ness didn't und]/& :at !   
,mi/ress meant1 b w5t on purr+ pr\dly1 &
 wond]+ :at clev] ?+ %e c\ld d next4 ,& 
,i don't "k :at x meant ei!r1 s don't y 
int]rupt ) silly que/ions4  ',i ?9k we  
ought to we> %oes1' 0 ! next ?+ ,mrs4   
,tabby ,:ite said2 b all ! human %oes 7 
too big = h]4 ,h[ev]1 !re 0 a nice pair 
( salmon-col\r$ kid %oes1 q new1 belong+
 to ! human *ild's big doll--& ,mrs4    
,tabby ,:ite put !m on h] elde/ kitt5's 
little br[ny feet4  ',n[1 ,br9dle1' %e  
said 7he 0 nam$ aft] ! g5tleman :o told 
me ! /ory71 'y are gr&] ?an any kitt5   
ev] 0 be=e4' ,& at fir/ ,br9dle felt    
pleas$--!n he tri$ to feel pleas$--!n he
 knew he wasn't pleas$ at all4 ,!n !    
%oes began to hurt him horribly1 s he   

mew$ sadly2 & ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite box$ 8 
e>s s(tly--z "m cats d2 y "k h[ ,i mean6
 ,b :5 %e 0 asleep he took (f ! p9k %oes
 & bit !m to pieces4 ,& ,nurse slapp$   
him = x4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite 0 v   
mis]able :5 %e saw h] son be+ slapp$3 = 
x is "o ?+ to box y\r son's e>s 7s(tly1 
z "m cats d2 y "k h[ ,i mean71 & q ano!r
 to see ano!r p]son d x--heavily1 z is !
 way ) nursemaids4  ,b ! la/ & greate/  
ef=t ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite made to imitate 
human mann]s 0 "o ,saturday night4  ,%e 
saw ! human *ild h its ba? be=e ! nurs]y
 fire1 ) hot wat]1 p9k soap1 dry t[els1 
& mu* fuss+1 & %e said to h]self1 ',:y  
%\ld ,i wa/e h\rs e day 9 wa%+ my *ildr5
 ) my little :ite paws & my little p9k  
tongue1 :5 ?is human *ild c be made     
clean 9 t5 m9utes ) ?is big ba?4 ,if ,i 
_h m "t ,i c\ld le>n to be clev]]1 & ,i 
%\ld end by be+ ! mo/ wond]ful ,cat 9   
all ! _w4' ,s %e sat1 & wat*$1 & wait$4 
,:5 ! human *ild 0 9 b$ & asleep1 ,nurse
 w5t d[n to h] supp]1 leav+ ! ba? to be 
cle>$ away lat]1 = x 0 a hot supp] (    

bak$ onions & toa/$ *eese1 & if y don't 
g to t supp] directly x is ready1 y may 
z well n g at all1 = x won't be wor?    
eat+--at lea/ s ,i h he>d ! kit*5maid   
say4  ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite wait$ till %e  
he>d ! la/ ( ,nurse's /eps on ! /airs   
bel[1 & !n %e put bo? h] cat-*ildr5 into
 ! tub1 & wa%$ !m ) rose-sc5t$ soap & a 
,turkey sponge4 ,at fir/ !y ?\ght x v   
good fun1 b pres5tly ! soap got 9 _!    
eyes & !y 7 fright5$ ( ! sponge1 & !y   
cri$1 mew+ pite\sly1 to be tak5 out4 ,i 
don't "k h[ %e c\ld h done x1 ,i c\ldn't
 h treat$ a kitt5 ( m9e l t4  ,:5 %e    
took !m out1 ,mrs4 ,tabby tri$ to dry !m
 ) ! s(t t[el1 b someh[ catsk9 is n s   
easy to dry z *ild-sk91 & ! little cats 
began to %iv]1 & moan3 ',oh1 "m1 we 7 s 
nice & w>m1 & n[ we are s cold6 ,:y is  
x8 ,:at h we done8 ,7 we naughty8'      
',drat ! cats6' said ,nurse1 :5 %e came 
up f supp]1 & f\nd ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite   
try+ to w>m h] kitt5s aga9/ h] own      
com=table fur2 'if !y hav5't tumbl$ 9 ! 
ba?6'  ,nurse dri$ ! poor1 de>1         

cruelly-us$ kitt5s a little 7h] h&s 7   
bigg] ?an ,mrs4 ,tabby's1 s %e c\ld d x 
bett]71 & put !m 9 a basket ) flannel1 &
 next day ,tabby-,kit 0 q well1 ?\gh r  
ragg$ look+2 b ,br9dle _h tak5 a *ill1 &
 = days he hung betwe5 life & dea?4     
,poor ,mrs4 ,tabby 0 l a wild cat )     
anxiety1 & :5 at la/ ,br9dle 0 well aga9
 7or ne>ly1 = he always _h a slight c\gh
 aft] t71 ,mrs4 ,tabby ,:ite said to h] 
*ildr51 ',my d>l+s1 ,i 0 wrong1 ,i 0 a  
silly old cat4'  ',no1' purr$ !         
cat-*ildr51 'd>l+ "m1 y 7 always ! be/ (
 cats4'  ,mrs4 ,tabby kiss$ !m bo?1 = ( 
c\rse any "o w\ld be pleas$ t h] *ildr5 
%\ld ?9k h] ! be/ ( cats1 b 9 h] he>t %e
 knew well en\gh h[ silly %e _h be54    
,!n %e set ab\t wa%+ ! kitt5s1 n ) p9k  
soap & :ite t[el ?is "t1 b ) :ite paws &
 p9k tongue 9 ! good old-fa%ion$ way4   
99       99       99       99       99  
,?ank y1 "m1 said all ! kitt5s2 :at a   
nice horrible /ory4  ,:at is ! moral8   
ask$ ! y\nge/ kitt5 b ?ree4  ,! moral1  
said ,mrs4 ,buffy1 is1 ',!re is su* a ?+

 z be+ too clev] by half4' ,i'm n sure  
ab\t ! /ory be+ true1 b ,i "k ! moral   
is4 ,:y1 x's ne>ly tea-"t4 ,come along1 
*ildr51 & get y\r tea4  ,s !y all crept 
quietly away to cat* ! necess>y mice1 & 
! y\nge/ 0 s afraid ( be+ too clev] by  
half1 t %e w\ld nev] h caught a m\se at 
all1 if h] "m _h n box$ h] e>s--s(tly1 z
 "m cats d2 y "k h[ ,i mean6     ,!     
,:ite ,p]sian   ,i ,,0 a h&some1        
discreet1 middle-ag$1 respectable1      
responsible1 dome/icat$ tabby cat4 ,i 0 
humble4 ,i knew my place1 & kept x4 ,my 
place 0 ! place ne>e/ ! fire 9 w9t]1 or 
close to ! sunny w9d[ 9 summ]4 ,!re 0   
no?+ to tr\ble me--n s mu* z a fly 9 !  
cream1 or an error 9 ! leav+ ( ! cat's  
meat1 until "s ?\ghtless p]son gave my  
ma/] ! :ite ,p]sian cat4  ,%e 0 v       
beautiful 9 h] s(t1 fooli%1 namby-pamby1
 blue-ey$ way4 ,( c\rse1 %e did n und]/&
 ,engli%1 & :5 !y call$ ,puss1 puss1 %e 
only ran "u ! s(a1 = %e ?\ght !y 7 teas+
 h]4 ,%e 0 mi/ress only ( two           
languages--,p]sian & cat-talk4  ,my ma/]

 did n ?9k ( ?is4 ,he call$ h] ,puss2 he
 call$ h] ,pussy2 he call$ h] ,tittums &
 ,pussy !n2 & a ?\s& ende>m5ts t _h     
=m]ly be5 lavi%$ on me 7 va9ly %[]$ on  
?is unresponsive /rang]4 ,b :5 he f\nd  
%e 0 cold to all ( !m1 my ma/] sigh$4   
,poor ?+6 he said2 %e is deaf4  ,i sat  
by ! bright f5d]1 & wa%$ my face1 &     
sleek$ my pretty paws1 & look$ on4 ,my  
ma/] gave up tak+ v mu* notice ( ! new  
cat4 ,b ,i _h a fe> t he might le>n     
,p]sian or cat-talk1 & make fri5ds ) h]2
 s ,i resolv$ t ! be/ ?+ = me w\ld be a 
complete *ange 9 ! ,p]sian's            
behavi\r--su* a *ange z %\ld make x     
impossible = h] ev] to be fri5ds ) him  
aga92 s ,i said to h]3  ,y wond] t our  
ma/] looks coldly at y4 ,p]haps y don't 
"k t 9 ,engl& a :ite cat is suppos$ to  
mew tw5ty times long] & to purr tw5ty   
times l\d] ?an a cat ( any o!r col\r8   
,oh1 ?ank y s mu* = tell+ me1 %e said   
gratefully4 ,i didn't "k4 ,z x happ5s1  
,i h a v good voice4  ,& ! next "t %e   
want$ h] milk1 %e mew$ 9 a voice y c\ld 

h he>d tw5ty miles away4 ,poor ma/] 0 s 
a/oni%$ t he ne>ly dropp$ ! sauc]4 ,:5  
%e _h f9i%$ ! milk1 %e jump$ ^u 8 knee1 
& he began to /roke h]4 ,%e ne>ly gave  
h]self a fit 9 h] ef=ts to purr l\d     
en\gh to please him4 ,at fir/ he 0      
pleas$1 b :5 ! purr+ got l\d] & l\d]1 ! 
poor man put 8 h&s to 8 e>s & said1 ,oh 
de>6 oh de>6 ?is is worse ?an a :ole    
hive ( bees4  ,/ill he put h] d[n g5tly1
 & ,i congratulat$ h] on hav+ done s    
well4 ,%e did bett]4 ,%e 0 an           
affectionate p]son1 ?\gh fooli%1 & 9 h] 
anxiety to d :at 0 expect$ ( a cat ( h] 
col\r 9 ,engl&1 %e practis$ day & night4
  ,h] purr 0 already ! l\de/ ,i h he>d f
 any cat1 b %e fanci$ %e c\ld improve h]
 mew+2 & %e mew$ 9 ! g>d51 %e mew$ 9 !  
h\se1 %e mew$ at meals1 %e mew$ at      
pray]s1 %e mew$ :5 %e 0 hungry to %[ t  
%e want$ food1 & %e mew$ :5 %e _h _h x  
to %[ h] gratitude4  ,poor ?+1 said !   
ma/] to a fri5d :o _h come to see him1  
%e is s deaf %e c't he> ! noise %e      
makes4  ,( c\rse1 ,i und]/ood :at he    

said1 b %e hadn't yet pick$ up a ^w (   
,engli%2 & if ! ma/] _h begun to le>n   
,p]sian1 ,i don't suppose he _h got mu* 
beyond ! alphabet4  ,! ,p]sian's mew 0 r
 feebl] t day1 because %e _h a cold4  ,i
 don't ?9k x's s bad1 said 8 fri5d4 ,if 
y really want$ to get rid ( h]1 %e is v 
h&some2 %e w\ld take a prize any:]e4    
,%e is y\rs1 said ! ma/] in/antly2 & !  
/range g5tleman took h] away 9 a basket4
  ,t ev5+ x 0 ,i :o sat on my ma/]'s    
knee--,i :o sup]9t5d$ ! writ+ ( 8 lett]s
 on ! gre5-cov]$ writ+ table--,i :o _h  
all ! milk t 0 left ov] f 8 tea4  ,9 a  
few days he _h a lett]4 ,i read x :5 he 
laid x d[n2 & if y don't believe cats c 
read1 ,i c only say t x is j z easy to  
read a lett] l ! ma/]'s z x is to write 
a /ory l ?is4 ,! lett] begg$ my ma/] to 
take back ! fair ,p]sian4  ,h] h[ls1 !  
lett] w5t on1 become worse & worse4 ,!  
poor creature is1 z y say1 too deaf to  
be tol]at$4  ,my ma/] wrote back        
in/antly to say t he w\ld r be condemn$ 
to keep a dog ?an h ! fair ,p]sian )9 8 

doors aga94  ,!n by return ( po/ came a 
pitiful lett]1 begg+ = help & m]cy1 & ! 
fri5d came aga9 to tea4 ,i trembl$ le/  
my =eign rival %\ld come back to live ) 
me4 ,b %e didn't4 ,! next morn+ my ma/] 
took me on 8 knee1 &1 /rok+ me g5tly1   
said--  ,ah1 ,tabbyk9s6 no m ,p]sians = 
u4 ,i h s5t h] to my deaf aunt4 ,%e w be
 delight$ ) h]--a mo/ h&some pres5t--& z
 !y are bo? deaf1 ! fair ,p]sian's      
%rieks w hurt nobody4  ,b ,i w h no m   
prize cats1 he said1 p\r+ out "s cream =
 me 9 8 own sauc]4 ,y "k h[ to behave2  
,i w nev] h any cat b y4  ,i d1 & he    
nev] has4     ,a ,p[]ful ,fri5d   ,,my  
"m 0 ! be/ ( cats4 ,%e wa%$ u kitt5s all
 ov] e morn+1 & at odd times dur+ ! day 
%e w\ld wa% little bits ( u1 say an e>1 
or a paw1 or a tail-tip1 & %e 0 v anxi\s
 ab\t our education4 ,i am afraid ,i    
gave h] a great deal ( tr\ble1 = ,i 0 r 
/\t & heavy1 & did n take a v active or 
graceful "p 9 ! ex]cises :i* %e ?\ght   
good = u4  ,our gymnasium 0 ! kit*5     
he>?-rug4 ,!re 0 always a good fire 9 ! 

grate1 & x seem$ to me s mu* bett] to g 
to sleep 9 front ( x ?an to run r\nd    
aft] my own tail1 or ev5 my "m's1 ?\gh1 
( c\rse1 t 0 a great hon\r4  ,z = runn+ 
aft] ! reel ( cotton :5 ! cook dropp$ x1
 or play+ ) ! tassel ( ! bl9d-cord1 or  
pret5d+ t !re 7 mice inside ! pap] bag  
:i* ,i knew to be empty1 ,i confess t ,i
 _h no he>t or imag9ation = ^!          
div]sions4  ,( c\rse1 y "k be/1 "m1 ,i  
us$ to say2 b x does seem to me a       
dreadful wa/e ( "t4 ,we might be mu*    
bett] employ$4  ,h[ bett] employ$8 ask$ 
my "m sev]ely4  ,:y1 ,i answ]$1 9 eat+  
or sleep+4  ,at fir/ my "m us$ to box my
 e>s1 & insi/ on my le>n+ su* little    
accompli%m5ts z %e ?\ght necess>y = my  
/ation 9 life4  ,y see1 %e w\ld say1 all
 ?is play+ ) tails & reels & balls (    
wor/$ is a prep>ation = ! real bus9ess (
 life4  ,:at is t8 ask$ my si/]4        
,m\se-cat*+1 said my "m v e>ne/ly4  ,!re
 are no mice "h1 ,i said1 /ret*+ myself4
  ,no1 b y w n always be "h2 & if y     
practise ! little tricks ,i %[ y n[ ) ! 

ball ( wor/$ & ! tips ( our tails1 !n1  
:5 ! great h\r comes1 & a c>e] is op5 to
 y1 & y see be=e y ! glori\s prize--!   
,,m\se--y w be quick en\gh & clev] en\gh
 to satisfy ! highe/ ne$s ( y\r nature4 
,& suppos+ we don't play ) our tails & !
 balls ( wor/$8 ,i said4  ,!n1 said my  
"m bitt]ly1 y may z well lie d[n = !    
mice to1 run ov] y4  ,?us at fir/ %e us$
 to try to %[ me h[ fooli% x 0 to ?9k ( 
no?+ b eat+ & sleep+2 b aft] a :ile %e  
turn$ all h] att5tion to tea*+ my bro!r 
& si/]1 & !y 7 apt pupils4 ,!y despis$  
no?+ small en\gh to be mov$ by _! paws1 
:i* c\ld give !m an opportunity (       
practis+4 ,!y did n m9d mak+ !mselves   
ridicul\s--a ?+ :i* has be5 always      
impossible ) me4 ,i h se5 ,tabby1 my    
si/]1 9 ! g>d51 play+ ) dead leaves1 z  
excit$ & pleas$ z ?\gh !y _h be5 ! birds
 :i* %e fooli%ly pret5d$ t !y 74  ,i    
?\ght h] v silly !n1 b ,i liv$ to wi% t 
,i _h tak5 half z mu* tr\ble ) my       
lessons z %e did ) h]s4 ,my "m 0 v      
pleas$ ) h]1 especially aft] %e caught !

 />l+s4 ,?is 0 a piece ( clev]ness :i*  
my si/] inv5t$ & c>ri$ ?r\gh entirely   
out ( h] own head4 ,%e made fri5ds ) "o 
( ! c[s at ! f>m ne> u1 & us$ to g into 
! c[h\se & jump on ! c['s back4 ,!n :5 !
 c[ 0 s5t out into ! field to get h]    
grassy breakfa/1 my si/] us$ to g ) h]1 
rid+ on h] back4  ,n[ birds are always v
 mu* on ! look-out = cats1 &1 if !y c   
help x1 nev] all[ "o ( u to come )9     
half-a-doz5 y>ds ( !m )\t tak+ to ^?    
silly w+s ( !irs4 ,i nev] c\ld see :y   
birds %\ld h w+s--s unnecess>y4  ,b     
birds are n afraid ( c[s1 = c[s are v   
poor sportsm51 & nev] c>e to kill & eat 
any?+4  ,n[ ! back ( a c[ is ! la/ place
 :]e y w\ld ?9k ( look+ = a cat2 s :5 ! 
/>l+s saw ! c[ com+1 !y didn't ?9k x    
wor? :ile to use _! w+s1 & :5 ! c[ 0 q  
close to ! birds--beautiful1 fat1       
delightful birds--- my si/] us$ to pick 
out ) h] eye ! fatte/ />l+1 & !n leap   
sudd5ly f ! c['s back on to h] prey4 ,%e
 nev] miss$4  ,i h nev] kn[n1 said my   
poor "m ) te>s ( pride 9 h] gre5        

eyes--,i h nev] kn[n a cat d any?+ s    
clev]4  ,x's all y\r do+1 "m de>1 said  
my si/] prettily2 if y hadn't taught me 
s well :5 ,i 0 little1 ,i %\ld nev] h   
?\ght ( x4 ,& !y kiss$ ea* o!r          
affectionately4  ,i %[$ my claws &      
gr[l$4 ,my "m %ook h] tabby head4  ,o   
,buff1 %e said1 if y _h only be5 will+  
to le>n :5 y 7 little1 y might h be5 z  
clev] z y\r si/]1 in/ead ( be+ ! great  
anxiety y are to me4  ,& :y am ,i an    
anxiety8 ,i said1 ruffl+ up my fur & my 
tail1 = ,i 0 v angry4  ,because y are   
useless1 %e said1 & n p>ticul>ly h&some2
 & :5 a cat is useless & n p>ticul>ly   
h&some1 !y sometimes----  ,:at8 ,i said1
 turn+ pale to ! ends ( my e>s4  ,!y    
sometimes dr[n x1 ,buff1 %e said 9 a    
:isp]1 & turn$ away to hide h] feel+s4  
,judge ( my own next day :5 !y came into
 ! kit*5 & took me up & put me into a   
basket4 ,i knew all ab\t dr[n+4 ,^!     
tales ( horror are told at twilight "t 9
 all cat nurs]ies1 & ,i knew t if ?ree  
l>ge /ones 7 put into ! basket ) me1 ,i 

might consid] my fate seal$4  ,x 0 v    
uncom=table 9 ! basket4 ,!y c>ri$ me    
upside-d[n "p ( ! way1 & x 0 draughty & 
h>d2 b1 s f>1 !re 7 no /ones4 ,:5 !y    
took (f ! lid ( ! basket1 ,i f\nd myself
 "u ! %ade ( a huge mov+ m\nta91 t seem$
 ab\t to fall & cru% me4 ,x 0 an        
elephant4  ,i f\nd t ! p :]e my "m liv$ 
_h giv5 me to ! cook1 :o _h giv5 me to  
h] c\s91 :o 0 engag$ to be m>ri$ to a "y
 man ^: bro!r-9-law 0 ! elephant's      
keep]1 & s ,i f\nd myself 9 ! elephant's
 h\se4  ,!re 0 no milk = me--no heads & 
tails ( fi%--no scraps ( meat--no       
delici\s un=ese5 morsels ( butt]4  ,!   
elephant 0 v k9d to me4 ,he _h once _h a
 fri5d exactly l me1 he expla9$1 b _h   
un=tunately walk$ ^u him1 & n[ ,i _h    
come to fill ! vacant place 9 8 l>ge    
he>t4  ,i resolv$ at once t he %\ld n   
walk ^u me2 b 9 ord] to insure ?is1 ,i 0
 compell$ to ent] ^u a m active exi/5ce 
?an ,i _h ev] kn[n4  ,:5 ,i ask$ :at ,i 
0 expect$ to eat1 he said--  ,mice1 ,i  
suppose2 or y c h "s ( my buns if y l4  

,y might l !m at fir/1 b y w soon get   
tir$ ( !m4  ,b ,i c\ldn't eat buns4 ,i 0
 nev]1 f a kitt51 fond ( su* ?+s4 ,i got
 v hungry4 ,aga9 & aga9 ! mice ru%$     
?r\gh ! /raw1 & ,i1 heavily1 helplessly1
 9 my unpractis$ way1 ru%$ aft] !m4 ,at 
fir/ ! elephant laugh$ he>tily at my    
inexp]tness2 b :5 he saw h[ hungry &    
wret*$ ,i 01 he said--  ,!y won't give y
 any milk1 & if !y f9d y don't cat* !   
mice !y w take y away f me4 ,n[ y are a 
nice little cat1 & ,i don't want to "p )
 y4 ,we mu/ try & arrange some?+4  ,!n !
 great ?\ght ( my life came to me4  ,y  
walk$ on ! o!r cat1 ,i said4  ,:at8 he  
trumpet$ 9 a voice ( ?und]4  ,i beg y\r 
p>don1 ,i said ha/ily2 ,i didn't mean to
 hurt y\r feel+s--&1 inde$1 ,i c\ld n h 
imag9$ t an elephant w\ld h be5 s       
?9-sk9n$ b a great idea has come to me4 
,:y %\ldn't y walk on mice--n too h>d1 b
 j s t ,i c\ld eat !m aft]w>ds8  ,well1 
said ! elephant1 %[+ 8 long tusks 9 a   
smile1 y are n v h&some1 & y are n v    
brisk2 b y c]ta9ly h bra9s1 my de>4  ,he

 dropp$ 8 great foot z he spoke4 ,:5 he 
lift$ x1 !re lay a m\se4 ,i _h an       
excell5t supp]2 & be=e ! week's end ,i  
he>d ! keep] say1 ,?is cat has c]ta9ly  
done ! trick4 ,%e has kept ! mice d[n4  
,we mu/ keep h]4  ,!y h kept me4 ,!y ev5
 g s f> z to all[ me to moi/5 my mice ) 
milk4  ,!re is no moral to ?is /ory1    
except t y %\ld d z y are told1 & le>n  
ev]y?+ y c :ile y are "y4 ,x is true t  
,i get on v well )\t hav+ done s1 b !n y
 may n h my good luck4 ,x is n e cat :o 
c get an elephant to cat* h] mice = h]4 
,a ,silly ,"q   ,,h[ d y come to be     
:ite1 :5 all y\r bro!rs are tabby1 my   
de>8 ,dolly ask$ h] kitt54 ,z %e spoke1 
%e took x away f ! ball x 0 play+ )1 &  
held x up & look$ 9 its face z ,alice   
did ) ! ,r$ ,que54  ,i'll tell y1 if    
y'll keep x a secret1 & n hold me s     
tight1 ! kitt5 answ]$4  ,dolly 0 n      
surpris$ to he> ! kitt5 speak1 = %e _h  
read h] fairy books1 z all good *ildr5  
%\ld1 & %e knew t all creatures answ] if
 "o only speaks to !m prop]ly4 ,s %e    

held ! kitt5 m com=tably & ! tale began4
  ,y mu/ "k1 my de> ,dolly1 ! kitt5     
began--& ,dolly ?\ght x dreadfully      
famili>--y mu/ "k t :5 we 7 v small we  
all set out to seek our =tunes4  ,:y1   
int]rupt$ ,dolly1 y 7 all born & br\ght 
up 9 our b>n6 ,i us$ to see y e day4  ,q
 s1 said ! kitt52 we s\ght our =tune e  
night1 & x turn$ out to be mice1 mo/ly4 
,well1 "o night ,i 0 seek+ m9e1 :5 ,i   
came to a hole 9 ! door t ,i _h nev]    
notic$ be=e4 ,i crept ?r\gh x1 & f\nd   
myself 9 a beautiful l>ge room4 ,x smelt
 delici\s4 ,!re 0 *eese !re1 & fi%1 &   
cream1 & mice1 & milk4 ,x 0 ! mo/ lovely
 room y c ?9k (4  ,!re's no su* room----
 began ,dolly4  ,did ,i say !re 08 ask$ 
! kitt54 ,i only said ,i f\nd myself    
!re4 ,well1 ,i /ay$ !re "s "t4 ,x 0 !   
happie/ h\r ( my life4 ,b1 z ,i 0 wa%+  
my face aft] "o ( ! mo/ delici\s h]r+'s 
heads y ev] ta/$1 ,i notic$ t on nails  
all r\nd ! room 7 hung sk9s--& !y 7 cat 
sk9s1 x add$ sl[ly4 ,well may y tremble6
  ,dolly hadn't trembl$4 ,%e _h only    

%ak5 ! kitt5 to make x speak fa/]4      
,well1 ,i /ood !re root$ to ! gr\nd )   
horror2 & !n came a sort ( horrible     
scramble-ru%1 & a b>k+ & squeak+1 & a   
t]rible mon/] /ood be=e me4 ,x 0 some?+ 
l a dog & some?+ l a broom1 some?+ l be+
 ?r[n out ( ! l>d] by cook--,i c't      
describe x4 ,x caught me up1 & 9 less   
?an a mom5t x _h hung my tabby sk9 on a 
nail beh9d ! door4  ,i crept out ( t    
lovely fairyl& a cat )\t a sk94 ,& t's  
h[ ,i came to be :ite4  ,i don't q      
see---- began ,dolly4  ,no8 ,:y1 :at    
w\ld y\r "m d if "s "o took (f y\r      
dress1 & hung x on a nail :]e %e c\ld n 
get x8  ,buy me ano!r1 ,i suppose4      
,exactly4 ,b :5 my "m took me to !      
cat-sk9 %op1 !y 71 un=tunately1 q out ( 
tabby dresses 9 my size1 s ,i _h to h a 
:ite "o4  ,i don't believe a ^w ( x1    
said ,dolly4  ,no8 ,well1 ,i'm sure x's 
z good a /ory z y c\ld expect 9 answ] to
 su* a silly "q4  ,b y 7 always----     
,oh1 well6 said ! kitt51 %[+ its claws1 
if y "k m ab\t x ?an ,i d1 ( c\rse !re's

 no m to be said4 ,p]haps y c\ld tell me
 :y y\r hair is br[n8  ,i 0 born s1 ,i  
believe1 said ,dolly g5tly4  ,! kitt5   
put its nose 9 ! air4  ,y've got no     
imag9ation1 x said4  ,b1 ,kitty1 really 
& truly1 )\t pret5d+1 y 7 born :ite1 y  
"k4  ,if y "k all ab\t x1 :y did y ask  
me8 ,at any rate1 y c't expect me to    
rememb] :e!r ,i 0 born :ite or n4 ,i 0  
too "y to notice su* ?+s4  ,n[ y are 9  
fun1 said poor ,dolly1 bewild]$4  ,!    
kitt5 bri/l$ ) indignation4  ,:at6 y    
really don't believe me8 ,i'll nev]     
speak to y aga91 x said4 ,& x nev] has4 
,! ,selfi% ,pussy   ,,yes1 said !       
tortoise%ell cat to ! grey "o1 z %e     
?\ghtfully wa%$ h] left e>1 ,i h liv$ 9 
a great _m families4 ,y see1 x's n e    
trade t des]ves to h a cat ab\t ! place4
 ,my fir/ ma/] 0 a %oemak]1 & ,i liv$ ) 
him happily en\gh1 until "o morn+ 9     
w9t]1 :5 ,i f\nd ! wick$ man sew+ /rips 
(--let me :isp]--cat's fur on a pair (  
lady's slipp]s6  ,i mew$ z ,i saw x1 &  
he1 ?9k+ ,i want$ milk1 put d[n 8 "w to 

get me "s1 = he 0 fond en\gh ( me4 ,i   
drank ! milk1 & !n ,i ran away4 ,i c\ld 
n live ) su* a man4  ,my next home 0 9 a
 g>ret1 ) a half-/>v$ musician :o made  
viol9s4 ,a viol9 is a musical in/rum5t t
 miauls :5 y t\* x j z we cats d1 & x 0 
amus+ to live ) a man :o c\ld make ?+s )
 voices l my own4 ,he 0 v poor1 & (t5 _h
 n en\gh to eat1 b he always got me my  
cat's-meat2 & :5 !re 0 no fire on1 he   
nurs$ me to keep me w>m4 ,b "o day ,i   
le>n$1 f ! talk ( "o ( 8 fri5ds 7a man z
 lean z himself7 :o came to see him1 t !
 /r+s ( ! viol9s 7 tak5 f ! bodies (    
dead cats4 ,no wond] ! voices 7 l my    
bro!rs' voices1 s9ce !y 7 /ol5 f my     
bro!rs' bodies4 ,he might take my own   
voice "s day4  ,s next day1 aft] !      
cat's-meat man _h call$1 ,i walk$       
quietly out1 & nev] saw t bad viol9-mak]
 aga94  ,i 0 pick$ up 9 ! /reet by a    
*ild1 :o took me home to h] "m's h\se4  
,!y 7 ri* folk2 !y _h curta9s1 &        
cu%ions1 & c\*es1 & !y did v little b   
nurse me1 or sometimes1 n wi%+ to hurt 8

 feel+s1 ! ,italian greyh\nd4 ,b !y lik$
 me be/1 ( c\rse4 ,!y 7 a noble family2 
& ,i %\ld h be5 liv+ ) !m /ill1 b "o    
ye>1 :5 !y w5t to ! seaside1 !y =got to 
provide = my bo>d & lodg+1 & ,i _h to g 
into trade aga94  ',milk ahoy6 milk     
ahoy6' ,i he>d t well-kn[n music z ,i   
sat lonely on ! door/ep ( ! des]t$      
mansion 9 ! ,squ>e4 ,! milkman look$    
lonely too2 s ,i ?\ght x w\ld be only   
k9d to g home ) him4 ,i did4 ,he 0 a v  
well-mean+ man1 b 8 ta/es 7 l[4 ,he took
 skim milk 9 8 tea1 & gave me ! same4 ,(
 c\rse1 aft] t1 ,i c\ld n /ay ano!r h\r 
"u 8 ro(4  ,i tri$ two or ?ree o!r      
h\ses1 & ,i c\ld h be5 happy ) a v nice 
but*] :o kept a corn] %op1 b he kept a  
dog also1 a dog t no cat 9 h] s5ses w\ld
 live 9 ! same /reet )2 s ,i came       
away--r hurri$ly1 ,i rememb]--& ! dog   
saw me (f4 ,n[ ,i live ) a work] 9      
silv]1 & ,i h cream e day2 & :5 he makes
 a cream-jug1 & ,i rememb] :at w be put 
9 x "s day1 ,i lick my lips1 & ?9k :at a
 happy cat ,i am to live ) su* a good   

man4 ,:]e d y live8  ,) a poor wid[1 9  
an attic4 ,i nev] h en\gh to eat4 ,&1   
inde$1 ! grey cat 0 ?94  ,:y d y /ay )  
h]8  ,because ,i love h]1 said ! grey   
cat4  ,love6 repli$ ! tortoise%ell cat4 
,nons5se6 ,i nev] he>d ( su* a ?+4      
,poor puss6 said ! p>rot 9 ! w9d[4 ,!   
grey cat ?\ght x 0 speak+ to !          
tortoise%ell1 & ! tortoise%ell 0 c]ta9 x
 meant ! grey4 ,:i* d y ?9k x meant8    
,m$dlesome ,pussy   ,i ,,0 sep>at$ f my 
"m at a v e>ly age1 & s5t out into ! _w 
alone1 long be=e ,i _h _h "t to le>n to 
say please & ?ank y1 & to %ut ! door    
aft] me1 & little ?+s l t4 ,"o ( ! ?+s  
,i _h n le>n$ to und]/& 0 ! diff]5ce    
betwe5 milk 9 a sauc] on ! floor1 & milk
 9 a jug on ! table4 ,o!r cats tell me  
!re is a diff]5ce1 b ,i c't see x4 ,!   
diff]5ce is n 9 ! ta/e ( ! milk--t is   
precisely ! same4  ,x is n s easy to get
 ! milk out ( a jug1 & ,i %\ld h ?\ght  
"s cr$it w\ld atta* to a cat :o p]=m$ s 
clev] a feat4 ,! _w1 my de>1 ?9ks       
o!rwise4 ,?is diff]5ce ( op9ion has1    

?r\gh life1 be5 a fruitful s\rce ( sorr[
 to me4 ,i _c tell y h[ mu* ,i h suff]$ 
= x4 ,! fir/ occasion ,i rememb] 0 a    
beautiful day 9 ,june1 :5 ! sun %one1 & 
all ! _w look$ fair4 ,i 0 de/9$ to      
rememb] t day4  ,! fi%mong] 7talk (     
/atues to h]oes6 ,i w\ld raise "o to t  
noble man67--! fi%mong]1 ,i say1 br\ght 
8 usual little pres5t to me4 ,i let !   
cook take x & prep>e x = my eat+4 ,i am 
always g5]\s en\gh to p]mit ! family to 
be s]v$ fir/--& !n ,i h my d9n] quietly 
at ! back door4  ,well1 he _h br\ght !  
salmon1 & ,i foll[$ ! cook 91 to see t x
 wasn't put :]e ^? dogs c\ld get x2 &   
!n1 ! d9+-room door be+ op5$1 ,i walk$  
94 ,! breakfa/ ?+s 7 ly+ litt]$ ab\t1 & 
on ! tea-tray 0 a jug4  ,( c\rse1 ,i    
walk$ across ! table1 & look$ into !    
jug2 !re 0 milk 9 x4  ,x 0 a s5sible1   
wide-m\!d jug1 & ,i %\ld h be5 q able to
 make a com=table breakfa/1 if "s       
clumsy1 c>eless s]vant hadn't ru%$ into 
! room1 cry+ ,%oo6 scat6  ,?is />tl$ me1
 ( c\rse4 ,i am v s5sitive4 ,i />t$1 !  

jug w5t ov]1 & ! milk ran on to ! clo?1 
& d[n on ! new c>pet4 ,y w h>dly believe
 x1 b t s]vant1 to conceal h] own       
c>elessness1 beat me ) a fea!r bru%1 &  
?rew me out ( ! back door2 & cook1 :o 0 
always a he>tless p]son1 ?\gh /\t1 gave 
me no d9n]4 ,ah6 if my fi%mong] _h only 
kn[n t ,i nev] ta/$ 8 beautiful pres5t1 
aft] all6  ,b ?\gh ,i admir$ him s mu*1 
,i c\ld n talk to him4 ,i nev]1 f a     
kitt51 c\ld speak any =eign language    
flu5tly4 ,s he nev] knew4  ,my next     
misadv5ture 0 on an aft]noon :5 ! family
 expect$ company1 & ! be/ *9a 0 set out4
 ,:y be/8 ,:y %\ld a sauc]1 all blue &  
gold & r$1 ) a cr[n on ! back1 be bett] 
?an a :ite "o ) mauve blobs on x8 ,i    
nev] c\ld see4 ,milk ta/es equally well 
f bo?4  ,i w5t into ! draw+-room be=e ! 
gue/s arriv$--j to be sure t ev]y?+ 0 z 
,i c\ld wi%--&1 see+ ! tea set out1 ,i  
got on ! table1 z usual1 to see :e!r !re
 0 any?+ 9 ! sauc]s4 ,!re 0 n1 b 9 ! be/
 milk-jug !re 0--,,cream6  ,! neck ( !  
be/ milk-jug 0 n>r[4 ,i c\ld n get my   

head 91 s ,i turn$ x ov] ) my paw4 ,x   
fell ) a cra%1 & ,i paus$ a mom5t--^!   
little %ocks always upset me4 ,all 0    
/ill--,i began to lap4 ,oh6 t cream6 ,i 
%all nev] =get x6  ,!n came a ru%1 & !  
fatal cry ( ,%oo6 scat6--always presag+ 
disa/]4 ,i saw ! door op51 &1 by an     
in/9ct ,i _c expla91 ,i leap$ f ! table4
 ,9 my hurry1 my foot caught 9 ! h&le ( 
! silv] tray4 ,we fell toge!r--nei!r !  
tray nor ,i 0 hurt--b ! be/ *9a666  ,i  
pick$ myself up1 & look$ ab\t me4 ,!    
family _h come 94 ,i read 9 _! faces t  
_! s]vant's unlucky int]ruption-( my    
meal _h de/roy$ :at 0 de>] to !m ?an    
life--?an my life1 at any rate4 ,i fl$4 
,i w5t out homeless & hopeless into !   
gold5 aft]noon4  ,i live n[ ) a ,sa9t--a
 maid5 lady1 :o takes cond5s$ milk 9 h] 
own tea1 & buys me two-p5nywor? ( cream 
night & morn+4  ,& cat's meat1 too6  ,& 
! glori\s fi%mong] /ill leaves 8 (f]+s  
at my door4     ,n9e ,lives   ,,"m1 said
 ! yell[ kitt51 is x true t we cats h   
n9e lives8  ,q1 my de>1 ! br9dl$ cat    

repli$4 ,%e 0 a v h&some cat1 & 9 v     
com=table circum/ances4 ,%e sat on a w>m
 ,turkey c>pet1 & wore a blue sat9      
ribbon r\nd h] neck4 ,i am 9 ! n9? life 
myself1 %e said4  ,h y liv$ all y\r     
lives "h8  ,oh de>1 no6  ,7 y "h1 ! :ite
 kitt5 ask$1 9 a sleepy voice1 :5 !     
,turkey c>pet 0 born8 ,rov] says x is   
only a few mon?s old4  ,no1 said ! "m1  
,i 0 n4 ,inde$1 x 0 p>tly ! s(tness ( t 
c>pet t made me come & live "h4  ,:]e   
did y live be=e8 ! black kitt5 said4  ,a
 dreamy look came into ! br9dl$ cat's   
eyes4  ,9 _m /range places1 %e answ]$   
sl[ly2 add+ m briskly1 & if y w be good 
kitt5s1 ,i w tell y all ab\t !m4        
,goldie6 come d[n f t /ool1 & sit d[n l 
a good kitt54 ,sweep6 leave (f %>p5+ y\r
 claws on ! furniture2 t always ends 9  
tr\ble & puni%m5t4 ,sn[ball6 y're asleep
 aga96 ,oh1 well2 if y'd r sleep ?an he>
 a /ory----  ,sn[ball %ook h]self awake1
 & ! o!rs sat d[n close to _! "m ) _!   
tails arrang$ neatly beside !m1 & wait$ 
= ! /ory4  ,i 0 born1 said ! br9dl$ cat1

 9 a b>n4  ,:at is a b>n8 ask$ ! black  
kitt54  ,a b>n is l a h\se1 b !re is    
only "o room1 & no c>pets1 only /raw4   
,i %\ld l t1 said ! yell[ kitt51 :o (t5 
play$ among ! /raw 9 ! big box :i*      
br\ght groc]ies f ! ,/ores4  ,i lik$ x  
well en\gh :5 ,i 0 y\r age1 said ! "m   
indulg5tly1 b a b>n is n at all a g5teel
 place to be born 94 ,my "m _h _h a     
little unpleasantness ) ! family %e liv$
 )1 &1 ( c\rse1 %e 0 too pr\d to /ay on 
aft] t4 ,& s %e left !m1 & w5t to live 9
 ! b>n4 ,x wasn't at all ! sort ( life  
%e _h be5 accu/om$ to4  ,:at 0 !        
unpleasantness8 ,sweep ask$4  ,well1 x 0
 ab\t "s cream :i* ! woman ( ! h\se     
want$ = h] tea4 ,%e %\ld h said s4 ,(   
c\rse1 my "m w\ld n h tak5 x if %e _h _h
 any idea t any "o else want$ x4 ,%e 0  
always mo/ unselfi%4  ,:at is tea8  ,a  
k9d ( br[n milk--v na/y inde$1 & v bad =
 y4 ,well1 ,i liv$ ) my bro!rs & si/]s v
 happily = "s mon?s1 = ,i 0 too "y to "k
 h[ vulg> x 0 to live 9 a b>n & play )  
/raw4  ,:at is vulg>1 "m8  ,de>1 de>2 h[

 y d ask que/ions1 said ! br9dl$ cat1   
beg9n+ to look worri$4 ,vulg> is be+ l  
ev]ybody else4  ,b does ev]ybody else   
live 9 a b>n8  ,no2 nobody does :o is   
respectable4 ,vulg> really means--n l   
respectable cats4  ,oh6 said ! black    
kitt5 & ! yell[1 try+ to look z if !y   
und]/ood4 ,b ! :ite "o did n say any?+1 
because x _h gone to sleep aga94  ,well1
 ! "m w5t on1 aft] a :ile !y took me to 
live 9 ! f>m-h\se4 ,& ,i %\ld h lik$ x  
well en\gh1 only !y _h a l[ habit (     
lock+ up ! dairy & ! pantry4 ,well1 x   
w\ld be tiresome to g into ! :ole /ory2 
h[ev]1 ,i soon f9i%$ my life at !       
f>m-h\se & w5t to live 9 ! /able4 ,x 0 v
 pleasant !re4 ,horses are excell5t     
company4 ,t 0 my ?ird life4 ,my f\r? 0  
at ! mill]'s4 ,he came "o day to buy "s 
corn2 he saw me1 & admir$ me--z1 inde$1 
e "o has always done4 ,he & ! f>m] 7    
disput+ ab\t ! price ( ! corn1 & at la/ 
! mill] said--  ',look "h2 y %all h y\r 
price if y'll ?r[ me t cat into !       
b>ga94'  ,! kitt5s all %udd]$4 ,:at is a

 b>ga98 ,is x l a pond8 ,& 7 y ?r[n 98  
,i 0 ?r[n 91 ,i believe4 ,b a b>ga9 is n
 l a pond2 ?\gh ,i he>d ! two m5 talk ( 
'wett+' ! b>ga94 ,b ,i suppose !y did n 
d x1 = ,i arriv$ at ! mill q dry4 ,t 0 a
 v pleasant life--full ( mice6  ,:o 0   
full ( mice8 ask$ ! :ite kitt51 wak+ up 
= a mom5t4  ,i 01 said ! "m %>ply2 & ,i 
%\ld h /ay$ 9 ! mill = ev]1 b ! mill] _h
 ano!r cat s5t him by 8 si/]4  ,h[ev]1  
he gave me away to a man :o work$ a b>ge
 up & d[n ! riv]4 ,i suppose he ?\ght he
 %\ld l to see me aga9 sometimes z !    
b>ge pass$ by4  ,life 9 a b>ge is v     
excit+4 ,!re are su* lots ( rats1 "s (  
!m z big z y kitt5s4 ,i got q clev] at  
cat*+ !m1 ?\gh sometimes !y made a v    
good fight = x4 ,i us$ to h pl5ty (     
milk1 & ,i slept ) ! b>gee 9 8 w>m      
little bunk1 & ( nights ,i sat & toa/$  
myself 9 front ( 8 fire 9 ! small1 cosy 
cab94 ,he 0 v fond ( me1 & us$ to talk  
to me a great deal4 ,x is s lonely on a 
b>ge t y are glad ( a little            
conv]sation4 ,he 0 v k9d to me1 & ,i 0 v

 griev$ :5 he m>ri$ a lady :o didn't l  
cats1 & :o *as$ me out ( ! b>ge ) a     
b>ge-pole4  ,:at is a b>ge-pole8 ! yell[
 kitt5 ask$ lazily4  ,! only leg a b>ge 
has4 ,i ran away into ! woods1 & !re ,i 
liv$ on birds & rabbits4  ,:at are      
rabbits8  ,some?+ l cats ) long e>s2 v  
:olesome & nutriti\s4 ,& ,i %\ld h lik$ 
my six? life v mu*1 b = ! keep]4 ,no1   
don't int]rupt to ask :at a keep] is4   
,he is a man :o1 :5 he meets a cat or a 
rabbit1 po9ts a gun at x1 & says        
',bang6' s l\d t y die ( fright4  ,h[   
horrible6 said all ! kitt5s4  ,i 0 look+
 out = my sev5? life1 & also = !        
gamekeep]1 & 0 sitt+ by ! riv] ) bo?    
eyes & bo? e>s op51 :5 a little girl    
came by--a nice little girl 9 a *eck$   
p9a=e4  ,%e /opp$ :5 %e saw me1 &       
call$--',pussy6 pussy6' ,s ,i w5t v     
sl[ly to h]1 & rubb$ myself aga9/ h]    
legs4 ,!n %e pick$ me up & c>ri$ me home
 9 ! *eck$ p9a=e4 ,my sev5? life 0 sp5t 
9 a clean little cottage ) ?is little   
girl & h] "m4 ,%e 0 v fond ( me1 & ,i 0 

z fond ( h] z a cat c be ( a human be+4 
,( c\rse1 we are nev] s unreasonably    
fond ( !m z !y are ( u4  ,:y n8 ask$ !  
yell[ kitt51 :o 0 "y & affectionate4    
,because !y're only human be+s1 & we are
 ,cats1 return$ ! "m1 turn+ h] l>ge1    
calm gre5 eyes on ,goldie1 :o said1 ,oh6
 & no m4  ,well1 :at happ5$ !n8 ask$ !  
black kitt51 cat*+ its "m's eye4  ,well1
 "o day ! little girl put me into a     
basket1 & c>ri$ me out4 ,i 0 always a   
f9e figure ( a cat1 & ,i mu/ h be5 a    
good weight to c>ry4 ,sev]al times %e   
op5$ ! basket to kiss & /roke me4 ,! la/
 "t %e did x we 7 9 a room :]e a sick   
girl lay on a b$4  ',i did n "k :at to  
br+ y = y\r bir?day1' said my little    
girl1 's ,i've br\ght y my de> pussy4'  
,! sick girl's eyes sp>kl$ ) delight4   
,%e took me 9 h] arms & /rok$ me4 ,&    
?\gh ,i d n l sick p1 ,i felt flatt]$ & 
pleas$4 ,b ,i only /ay$ a v little "t ) 
h]4  ,:y8 ask$ all ! kitt5s at once4    
,because----b no2 t /ory's too sad = y  
*ildr52 ,i w tell x y :5 y're old]4  ,b 

t only makes eight lives1 said ,sweep1  
:o _h be5 c\nt+ on 8 claws1 & y said y  
_h n9e4 ,:i* 0 ! n9?8  ,:y1 ?is1 y silly
 *ild1 said ! br9dl$ pussy1 sitt+ up1 & 
beg9n+ to wa% ! kitt5's face v h>d      
inde$4 ,& z x's my la/ life1 ,i mu/ be v
 c>eful ( x4 ,t's :y ,i'm s p>ticul>    
ab\t :at ,i eat & dr9k1 & :y ,i make a  
po9t ( sleep+ s _m h\rs a-day4 ,b x's   
y\r fir/ life1 ,sn[ball1 & ,i c't h y   
wa/+ x all 9 sleep4 ,g & cat* a m\se at 
once4  ,yes1 mamma1 said ,sn[ball1 & w5t
 to sleep aga9 imm$iately4  ,ah6 said   
,mrs4 ,br9dle1 ,i'll wa% y next4 ,t'll  
make y wake up1 my de>4  ,sn[ball's     
always sleepy1 said ! yell[ kitt51      
/ret*+ itself4 ,b1 mamma de>1 %e doesn't
 c>e = hi/ory1 & y\rs 0 a v long tale4  
,y c't h too mu* ( a good ?+1 said ! "m1
 look+ d[n at h] long br9dl$ tail4 ,if  
x's a good tail1 ! long] x is ! bett]4  
,doggy ,tales     ,t9k]   ,,my "n is    
,/umps1 & my mi/ress is r a nice little 
girl2 b %e has h] faults1 l mo/ p4 ,i   
myself1 z x happ5s1 am wond]fully free f

 faults4 ,among my mi/ress's faults is  
:at ,i may call a lack ( dignity1 jo9$  
to a desire to make o!r p undignifi$    
too4  ,y w h>dly believe t1 be=e ,i _h  
belong$ to h] a mon?1 %e _h made me le>n
 to dance & to jump4 ,i am a v          
respectable da*%und1 ( cobby build1 &   
jump+ is ! v la/ ex]cise ,i %\ld h tak5 
to ( my own accord4 ,b :5 ,miss ,daisy  
said1 ,n[ jump1 ,/umps2 !re's a d>l+6 & 
held out h] little arms1 ,i c\ld n well 
refuse4 ,=1 aft] all1 ! *ild is my      
mi/ress4  ,i nev] c\ld und]/& :y ! cat 0
 n taught to dance4 ,x seem$ to me v h>d
 t1 :5 ,i 0 hav+ ^? long1 mis]able      
lessons1 ! cat %\ld be all[$ to sit d[n 
do+ no?+ b smile at my mis=tunes4 ,trap 
always said we ought to feel hon\r$ by  
be+ taught1 & ! reason :y ,pussy wasn't 
ask$ to le>n 0 because %e 0 s dreadfully
 /upid1 & _h no bra9s = any?+ b !       
pleasures ( ! *ase & ! c>es ( a family2 
b ,i didn't ?9k t c\ld be ! reason1     
because ! doll 0 taught to dance1 ?\gh  
%e nev] le>n$1 & ,i am sure %e 0 /upid  

en\gh4  ,ano!r ?+ :i* ,miss ,daisy      
taught me to d 0 to beg2 & ! action     
fills me ) %ame & pa9 e "t ,i p]=m x1 & 
z ! ye>s g on ,i hate x m & m4  ,= a    
/\t1 middle-ag$ dog1 ! action is absurd 
& degrad+4 ,yet1 su* is ! =ce ( habit1 t
 ,i g ?r\gh ! p]=mance n[ q naturally   
:5ev] ,i want any?+4 ,trap does x too1 &
 says :at does x matt]8 b !n he has no  
judgm5t1 &1 besides1 he's ?94  ,b "o ( !
 mo/ ?\ghtless ?+s my little mi/ress ev]
 did 0 "o day la/ summ] :5 %e 0 out )\t 
me4 ,i *ose to /ay at home because x 0 v
 hot1 & ,i knew t ! roads w\ld be du/y2 
& %e 0 only go+ d[n to ! village %op1   
:]e no "o ev] ?9ks ( (f]+ a dog any?+ to
 dr9k4 ,if %e _h be5 go+ to ! f>m1 ,i   
%\ld h gone ) h]1 because ! lady !re %[s
 prop] att5tion to visitors1 & always   
sets d[n a nice di% ( milk = u dogs4    
,besides1 ,i 0 a little unwell j !n2 !  
family _h _h duck = d9n]1 & ,i always   
feel a little fa9t aft] duck4 ,all our  
family d4 ,s ,i /ay$ at home4 ,well1    
,miss ,daisy _h gone out ) only ,trap & 

h] hoop4 ,i wi% ,i _h be5 !re1 = ,trap  
is f> too easy-go+1 & a hoop nev] gives 
any advice wor? li/5+ to4 ,trap told me 
all ab\t x z well z he c\ld4 ,trap c't  
tell a /ory v well1 poor fell[6  ,x     
seems t1 z ,miss ,daisy w5t across !    
village gre51 %e saw a cr[d ( *ildr5    
runn+ aft] a dog )--,i h>dly l to m5tion
 su* a ?+--a t9 saucepan ti$ to 8 tail6 
,! dog bolt$ into ! empty dog-k5nel by !
 blacksmi?'s %op1 & /ay$ !re1 gr[l+4  ,g
 away1 bad *ildr51 said ,miss ,daisy2 h[
 d>e y treat a poor de> doggie s8  ,!   
*ildr5 w\ldn't g away at fir/4 ,v well1 
said ,miss ,daisy2 ,i %all tell ,trap   
:at ,i ?9k ( y all4  ,!n %e :isp]$ to   
,trap1 & he began to gr[l s fi]cely t ! 
*ildr5 d>$ n come ne>]4 ,any "o c gr[l4 
,pres5tly ! *ildr5 got tir$ ( li/5+ to  
him1 & w5t away4 ,!n ,miss ,daisy coax$ 
! unpleasant1 t9-tail$ creature out ( ! 
k5nel1 & unti$ ! /r+1 & took (f ! pan4  
,!n1 if y'll believe a dog ( my "* 7& ( 
c\rse y mu/71 %e c>ri$ t l[ dog home 9  
h] arms1 & wa%$ him1 & set him d[n to   

eat out ( ! same plate z ,trap & myself6
 ,trap 0 fri5ds ) him directly--"s p h  
no _s--b ,i hope ,i "k my duty to myself
 too well = t4 ,i sn>l$ at ! base       
intrud] till he 0 q a%am$ ( himself4 ,i 
knew f ! fir/ t he'd be taught jump+ &  
begg+1 & ?+s l t4 ,i hate ^? ?+s myself1
 b t's no reason :y e l[ dog %\ld be    
taught !m4 ,miss ,daisy call$ him ,t9k]1
 because he once c>ri$ a t9 pan ab\t )  
him1 & %e tri$ v h>d to make me fri5dly 
to him2 b ,i c *oose my own fri5ds1 ,i  
hope4  ,e "o made a great fuss ab\t "o  
?+ he did1 b actually x 0 no?+ b bit+2 &
 if bit+ isn't natural to a dog1 ,i %\ld
 l to "k :at is2 & :y p %\ld be prais$ &
 pett$1 & h new coll>s1 & ev]ybody      
else's %>e ( ! bones1 only = do+ :at is 
q natural to !m1 ,i h nev] be5 able to  
compreh5d4 ,besides1 b>k+ is z good z   
bit+1 any day1 & ,i'm sure ,i b>k$      
en\gh1 ?\gh x wasn't my bus9ess4  ,miss 
,daisy _h gone away to /ay ) h] c\s9s 9 
,london1 & %e _h tak5 ,trap ) h]4 ,:y %e
 %\ld h tak5 him in/ead ( me is a matt] 

on :i* ,i c (f] no op9ion4 ,if my op9ion
 _h be5 ask$1 ,i %\ld h said t ,i ?\ght 
x m suitable = h] to h a heavy          
middle-ag$ dog ( good mann]s ?an a      
h>um-sc>um "y /ripl+ l ,trap4 ,trap told
 me aft]w>ds t he ?\ght ! reason he 0   
tak5 0 because ,miss ,daisy w\ld h _h m 
to pay = ! dog-ticket ( su* a heavy dog 
z ,i am2 b ,i c't believe t dogs are    
*>g$ = by ! weight1 l butt]4 ,z ,i 0    
say+1 ,miss ,daisy took ,trap ) h]1 &   
also h] fa!r & "m2 & ,t9k] & ,i 7 left  
to take c>e ( ! s]vants4 ,we _h a v     
agreeable "t1 ?\gh ,i confess t ,i miss$
 ,miss ,daisy m ?an ,i w\ld h believ$   
possible4 ,b !re 0 m to eat 9 ! kit*5   
?an usual1 & ! s]vants (t5 left ?+s on !
 table :5 !y w5t out to take 9 ! milk or
 to *at ) ! g>d5]s2 & if p leave ?+s on 
tables1 !y h only !mselves to ?ank =    
:atev] happ5s4  ,!re 0 a "y man :o wore 
a fur cap1 & :o us$ to call ) fi%2 & ,i 
0 m surpris$ ?an ,i c>e to own :5 ,i met
 him walk+ out ) cook "o ,sunday        
aft]noon1 = ,i ?\ght %e _h a s\l above  

fi%2 yet :5 ! s]vants began to ask ?is  
"y man to tea 9 ! kit*51 ,i ?\ght1 (    
c\rse1 x mu/ be all "r1 b ,t9k] w\ld d  
no?+ b gr[l ! :ole "t ! "y man 0 !re2 s 
t at la/ cook _h to lock u up 9 !       
butl]'s pantry till ! "y man 0 gone4 ,i 
_h n gr[l$1 b ,i 0 lock$ 9 too4 ,! _w is
 full ( inju/ice & +ratitude4  ,n[ "o   
night1 :5 ! s]vants w5t to b$1 ,t9k] &  
,i lay d[n 9 our baskets "u ! hall table
 z usual2 b ,t9k] 0 dreadfully re/less1 
:i* mu/ h be5 only an accid5t1 because  
he said himself he didn't "k :at 0 !    
matt] ) him2 & he w\ld n g to sleep1 b  
kept walk+ up & d[n z if he 7 go+ to    
hide a bone & c\ldn't f9d a good place =
 x4  ,d lie d[n1 = goodness' sake1      
,t9k]1 ,i said1 & g to sleep4 ,any "o c 
see y h n be5 br\ght up 9 a h\se :]e    
regul> h\rs are kept4  ,i c't g to      
sleep2 ,i don't "k :at's ! matt] ) me1  
he said gloomily4  ,well1 ,i tri$ to g  
to sleep myself1 & ,i ?9k ,i mu/ almo/ h
 dropp$ (f1 :5 ,i he>d a scrape-scrap+ f
 ! butl]'s pantry4 ,i wasn't go+ to b>k4

 ,x wasn't my bus9ess4 ,i h (t5 he>d    
,miss ,daisy's relations say t ,i 0 no  
h\se-dog4 ,/ill1 ,i ?9k ,t9k] ought to h
 b>k$ !n1 b he didn't3 only j prick$ 8  
e>s & 8 tail2 & he wait$1 & ! scrap+ w5t
 on4  ,!n ,t9k] said to me--,don't y    
make a noise1 = y\r life2 ,i am go+ to  
see :at x is2 & he trott$ s(tly into !  
butl]'s pantry4 ,x 0 r d>k1 b y "k we   
dogs c see z well z cats 9 ! d>k1 al?\gh
 !y d make su* a fuss ab\t x1 & decl>e t
 !y are ! only creatures :o c4  ,!re 0 a
 man outside ! w9d[1 & ,i tapp$ ,t9k] ) 
my tail to %[ him t he ought to b>k1 b  
he nev] mov$4 ,! man _h be5 scrap+ &    
scrap+ till he _h got out "o ( !        
w9d[-panes4 ,x 0 a v little w9d[-pane1  
only j big en\gh = 8 h& to g ?r\gh2 & ! 
man took out ! w9d[-pane & put 8 h&     
?r\gh1 mak+ a long arm to get at ! fa/5+
 ( ! w9d[2 & j z he 0 go+ to undo !     
hasp1 ,t9k] made a spr+ on to !         
w9d[-l$ge1 & he caught ! man's h& 9 8   
m\?1 & ! man gave a pu%1 & ,t9k] fell (f
 ! w9d[-l$ge1 b he took ! man's h& )    

him2 & !re 0 ! man's arm dragg$ ?r\gh ! 
w9d[-pane1 & ,t9k] hang+ on to 8 f+]s4  
,! man broke "s m panes & tri$ to get 8 
o!r h& ?r\gh1 & if he _h he w\ld h done 
= ,t9k]1 b he c\ld n manage x2 & n[ ,i  
?\ght ,?is is ! "t to b>k1 & ,i b>k$4 ,i
 b>k$ my be/1 ,i b>k$ nobly1 ?\gh ,i am 
n a h\se-dog1 & ,i don't ?9k x's my     
bus9ess4  ,9 less ?an a m9ute d[n came !
 g>d5] & ! "u-g>d5]3 & ,t9k] 0 /ill     
hold+ on1 & !y took ! man1 & he 0 m>*$  
(f to prison1 & x turn$ out to be ! man 
9 ! fur cap4 ,b ?\gh !y made fuss en\gh 
ab\t ,t9k]'s %>e 9 ! bus9ess1 y may be  
sure x didn't make me ?9k mu* m ( him4  
,i %\ld nev] h _h any?+ to say to him b 
= "o ?+4 ,e>ly "o morn+ we ?ree         
dogs--x's all ov] long ago1 & ,i hope ,i
 c be g5]\s & let bygones be bygones2 he
 is "o ( u n[--w5t out = a run 9 !      
paddock by ! wood1 & :ile ,trap & ,i 7  
trott+ up & d[n *att+ ab\t ! wea!r1 t   
,t9k] dog bolt$ into ! wood1 & 9 less   
?an a m9ute came out ) a rabbit4  ,i saw
 at once t he c\ld nev] get x eat5 be=e 

,miss ,daisy came out1 & ,i knew t1 if  
he 7 f\nd ) x1 8 suff]+s w\ld be awful4 
,s ,i help$ him to eat x4 ,i "k my duty 
to a fell[-creature1 ,i tru/4 ,x 0 a v  
"y rabbit1 & t5d]4 ,n too mu* fur4 ,fur 
gets 9 y\r ?roat1 & spoils y\r tee?1    
besides4 ,we _h j f9i%$ x :5 my mi/ress 
came out4 ,trap w\ld n eat a bit1 ev5 to
 help ,t9k] out ( 8 scrape1 b ,i h a k9d
 he>t4  ,well1 aft] t ,i ?\ght ,i might 
z well cons5t to be fri5ds ) ,t9k]1 9   
spite ( 8 l[ bre$+4 ,y see1 ,i _h help$ 
him out ( a dreadful scrape1 & "o always
 feels k9dly to p "o has help$4 ,he has 
caught sev]al m rabbits s9ce !n1 & ,i h 
always /ood by him on ^? occasions1 & ,i
 always mean to4 ,i am n "o to turn my  
back on a fri5d1 ,i believe4  ,s n[ he  
has a coll> l ours1 & ,i h>dly feel     
degrad$ at all :5 ,i sit opposite to him
 at ! doll's tea-p>ties4     ,rats6     
,,he has no nose1 said my ma/]2 he is a 
h&some dog1 b he has no nose4  ,?is     
annoy$ me v mu*1 = ,i h a nose--a v     
long1 %>p1 black nose4 ,i we> tan boots 

& gloves1 & my coat is a beautiful %9y  
black4  ,i am a ,man*e/] t]ri]1 & ,i    
fulfil ! old in/ructions = su* dogs4 ,i 
am            ,neckd l a drak1          
,head$ l a snak1           ,tail$ l a   
ratte1           ,& foot$ l a catte4  ,&
 !n !y said ,i _h no nose4  ,b ,k]ry    
expla9$ to me t my ma/] did n mean to   
f9d fault ) ! %ape ( my nose1 b t :at he
 want$ to be und]/ood 0 t ,i _h no nose 
= smell+ rats4 ,k]ry has1 & he is       
ridicul\sly va9 ( ?is accompli%m5t4  ,& 
y h no nose1 y "k1 old boy1 said ,k]ry2 
:y1 y w\ld let ! rats run all ov] y &   
nev] "k x4  ,i turn$ up my nose--my     
beautiful1 po9t$1 h&some nose--& walk$  
away )\t a ^w4  ,a few weeks aft]w>ds my
 ma/] br\ght home ) him "s :ite rats4   
,k]ry 0 out at ! "t1 b my ma/] %[$ me ! 
rats ?r\gh ! b>s ( _! cage4 ,he also %[$
 me a boot & a /ick4 ,al?\gh ,i h no    
nose1 ,i 0 clev] en\gh to put two & two 
toge!r4 ,did ,i m5tion t !re 7 two rats8
  ,we 7 n all[$ to g 9 ! /udy1 ei!r ( u1
 & my ma/] put ! rats !re 9 _! cage on !

 table4  ,t night1 :5 ev]ybody _h gone  
to b$1 ,i said to ,k]ry1 ,i may h no    
nose1 old man1 b ,i smell rats4  ,k]ry  
sniff$ contemptu\sly4  ,y6 said he1     
curl+ himself r\nd 9 8 basket2 ,i don't 
believe y c\ld smell an elephant if !re 
7 "o 9 ! dress] draw]4  ,i kept my      
temp]4 ,i am n feel+ v well1 ,k]ry1 ,i  
said g5tly1 or ,i w\ld g & see myself4  
,b ,i am sure !re are rats2 ,i smell !m 
pla9ly2 !y seem to be 9 ! /udy4  ,g to  
sleep1 he said2 y're dream+1 old man4   
,:y don't y g & see8 ,i said4 ,if ,i    
didn't feel s v fa9t1 ,i w\ld g myself4 
,k]ry got out ( 8 basket reluctantly4 ,i
 suppose ,i ought to g1 if y are q      
c]ta91 he said2 & he w5t4  ,9 less ?an a
 m9ute he return$ to ! kit*51 trembl+   
all ov] ) excitem5t4  ,*appie6 he said2 
,*appie6  ,well8  ,!re are rats1 he     
:isp]$ ho>sely2 !re are rats 9 ! /udy4  
,did y g 98 ,i ask$4  ,no1 y "k we're   
=bidd5 to g 91 b ,i smelt !m q pla9ly4  
,i c't smell !m at all "h1 he said      
regretfully4 ,:at a nose y h got1 aft]  

all1 ,*appie6  ,:at are y go+ to d1     
,k]ry8 ,i ask$4  ,:y1 no?+1 he said2 we 
mu/n't g 9 ! /udy4  ,oh1 ,i said1 rules 
w]5't made = great occasions l ?is2 x's 
y\r bus9ess to kill rats :]ev] !y are4  
,& t misguid$ wire-hair$ p]son w5t up4  
,he got !m out ( ! cage1 & kill$ !m4  ,!
 next morn+1 :5 ! ma/] came d[n1 he     
?ra%$ ,k]ry )9 an in* ( 8 life4 ,he kn[s
 ,i don't t\* rats2 &1 besides1 ,i 0 s  
unwell t nobody c\ld h suspect$ me4 ,&  
,i expla9$ to ,k]ry t1 good z my nose   
is1 ,i c\ldn't possibly tell by ! smell 
t ! rats 7 :ite1 &1 !re=e1 sacr$4 ,x 0 n
 wor? :ile to m5tion t ,i _h se5 !m     
be=e4  ,k]ry looks up to me n[ z a dog )
 a nose1 & ,i am mu* happi] ?an =m]ly4  
,b ,k]ry is n ne>ly s ke5 on rats n[4 ,i
 ?\ght someh[ he w\ldn't be4     ,!     
,tables ,turn$   ,,we knew x 0 a dog1   
directly ! basket 0 set d[n 9 ! hall4   
,we he>d x mov+ ab\t inside4 ,we sniff$ 
all r\nd4 ,we ask$ x :y x didn't come   
out 7! basket 0 tightly ti$ up ) /r+74  
,are y hav+ a good "t 9 !re8 said ,roy4 

,c't y %[ y\r face8 said ,i4 ,he's a%am$
 ( x1 said ,roy1 wav+ 8 long bu%y tail4 
,!n he gr[l$ a little1 & ! dog inside   
gr[l$ too2 & !n1 z ,roy _h an appo9tm5t 
) ! but*] at 8 own back door1 ,i w5t out
 to see him home4  ,i am s sorry ,i am  
go+ away = ,*ri/mas ) my ma/]1 he said  
:5 we p>t$2 b y mu/ introduce t new dog 
to me :5 ,i come home4 ,we mu/n't /& any
 ( 8 impud5ce1 eh8  ,i 0 sorry ,roy 0   
go+ away1 = ,roy is my great fri5d4 ,he 
always fights ! battles = bo? ( u4 ,i   
d>esay ,i might h got into ! way (      
fight+ my own battles1 b ,i nev] l to   
int]f]e ) anybody's pleasure1 & ,roy's  
*ief pleasure is fight+4 ,z = me1 ,i ?9k
 ! delights ( t recreation are          
ov]-e/imat$4  ,:5 my ma/] came home1 he 
op5$ ! basket1 & a dog ( ,iri% family   
tumbl$ out1 gr[l+ & sn>l+1 & hid himself
 "u ! s(a4 ,!y wa/$ m biscuits on him   
?an ,i h ev] se5 wa/$ on any des]v+ dog2
 & at la/ !y got him out1 & he cons5t$  
to eat "s supp]4 ,!y gave him a mu*     
bett] basket ?an m9e1 & we w5t to b$4   

,next morn+1 ! ,iri% t]ri] got out ( 8  
basket1 /ret*$ himself1 yawn$1 & insi/$ 
on ?ra%+ me be=e breakfa/4  ,b ,i am a  
dog ( peace1 ,i said2 ,i don't fight4   
,b ,i d1 y see1 he answ]$1 t's j !      
diff]5ce4  ,i tri$ to def5d myself1 b he
 got hold ( "o ( my feet1 & held x up4  
,i sat up1 & h[l$ ) pa9 & indignation4  
,h y _h en\gh8 he said1 &1 )\t wait+ =  
my answ]1 proce$$ to give me m4  ,b ,i  
don't fight1 ,i said2 ,i don't approve (
 fight+4  ,!n ,i'll tea* y to h bett]   
mann]s ?an to say s1 said he1 & he      
taught me = ne>ly five m9utes4  ,n[ !n1 
he said1 are y lick$8  ,yes1 ,i answ]$2 
= inde$ ,i 04  ,are y sorry y ev] tri$  
to fight ) me8  ,yes1 /ill seem$ to be !
 only ?+ to say4  ,& d y approve (      
fight+8  ,he seem$ to wi% me to say yes1
 & s ,i said x4  ,v well1 !n1 he said2  
n[ we'll be fri5ds1 if y l4 ,come along2
 y h giv5 me an appetite = breakfa/4    
,any society wor? cultivat+ ab\t "h8 he 
ask$1 aft] ! meal1 9 8 ov]be>+ way4  ,i 
h a v great fri5d :o lives next door1 ,i

 said2 b ,i don't "k :e!r ,i %\ld c>e to
 introduce y to him4  ,he %[$ 8 tee?1 & 
ask$ :at ,i meant4  ,y see1 y might n l 
him2 &1 if y didn't l him----b he's a   
mo/ agreeable dog4  ,a good fight]8 ask$
 ,ru/l]4  ,i scrat*$ my e> ) my h9d     
foot1 & pret5d$ to ?9k4  ,oh1 ,i see    
he's n1 said ,ru/l] contemptu\sly2 well1
 y %all introduce him to me directly he 
comes back4  ,ru/l]'s ov]be>+ &         
disagreeable mann]s s upset me t ,i 0 q 
?9 :51 at ! end ( ! week1 ,roy came     
home4 ,i told him my tr\bles at once4   
,br+ y\r ,ru/l] along1 he said gr&ly1 & 
introduce him to me4  ,s ,i did4 ,ru/l] 
came along ) 8 e>s up1 & 8 mis]able tail
 9 ! air4 ,roy lay by 8 k5nel look+ !   
image ( s]5ity & peacefulness4 ,to judge
 by 8 expression1 he might n h _h a too?
 9 8 head4  ,ru/l] /ood ) 8 feet z f>   
ap>t z he c\ld get !m1 & put 8 head on  
"o side4  ,i h he>d s mu* ab\t y1 ,mr4  
,:at's-y\r-"n1 he said1 t ,i h come to  
make a clos] acqua9tance4  ,delight$1   
,i'm sure1 said ,roy1 :o has spl5did    

mann]s4  ,if y w get on y\r legs1 said  
,ru/l] rudely1 ,i w tell y :at ,i ?9k ( 
y4  ,roy got on 8 legs1 /ill look+ v    
humble1 & ! next m9ute he _h ,ru/l] by !
 front foot1 & 0 mak+ him sit d[n &     
scream j z ,ru/l] _h made me4 ,x 0 a    
magnific5t fight4  ,h y _h en\gh8 said  
,roy1 & !n gave him m )\t wait+ = an    
answ]4  ,i don't want to fight any m1   
said ,ru/l] at la/2 ,i am sorry ,i      
spoke4  ,!n ,i'll tea* y to h m pluck   
?an to own x1 said ,roy4  ,:5 he _h     
taught him = "s "t1 he said1 ,are y     
lick$8  ,yes1 said ,ru/l]1 gl>+ at me   
out 8 un9jur$ eye4  ,are y sorry y tri$ 
to fight ) me8  ,yes4  ,w y promise to  
leave my little fri5d "h alone8  ,yes4  
,!n ,roy let him g4 ,we %ook tails all  
r\nd1 & ,ru/l] & ,i w5t home4  ,poor    
,ru/l]1 ,i said1 ,i "k exactly h[ y     
feel4  ,y little humbug1 he said1 ) half
 a laugh--= he is n an ill-natur$ fell[ 
:5 y come to "k him--y manag$ x v       
clev]ly1 & ,i'm n "o to be> malice2 b1  
,i say1 y\r fri5d is ,a#a4  ,we are n[ !

 mo/ unit$ trio1 & ,roy & ,ru/l] h lick$
 all ! o!r dogs 9 ! neighb\rhood4     ,a
 ,noble ,dog   ,,rov] w\ld g into ! wat]
 fa/ en\gh = a ba! or a swim1 b he w\ld 
n br+ any?+ out4 ,! *ildr5 us$ to ?r[ 9 
/icks1 & ,rov] & ,i us$ to b\nd 9       
toge!r2 b ,i w\ld br+ ! /ick back1 :ile 
he swam r\nd & r\nd1 enjoy+ himself4  ,i
 am n va91 b ,i c\ld n help feel+ h[ mu*
 sup]ior ,i 0 to su* a dog z ,rov]4 ,he 
is a prize ,newf\ndl&1 & ,i am only a   
humble retriev] ( obscure family4  ,s "o
 day ,i said to him--  ,:y don't y fet* 
! /icks out :5 ! *ildr5 ?r[ !m 98  ,i   
don't c>e ab\t /icks1 he said4  ,b x's s
 gr& & clev] to be able to fet* !m out4 
,is x8 he answ]$4  ,i "k x is1 = !      
*ildr5 tell me s4  ,d !y8 he said4  ,i  
wond] y are n a%am$1 ,i w5t on1 a little
 nettl$ by 8 meekness1 nev] to d any?+  
useful4 ,i %\ld be1 if ,i 7 y4  ,ah1 he 
said1 b y see y are n4 ,good night4  ,we
 us$ to sp5d a great deal ( "t by !     
riv]4 ,! *ildr5 lov$ to play !re1 & we  
dogs 7 always expect$ to g ) !m4  ,"o   

day1 z ,i 0 ly+ asleep on ! w>m grass by
 ! riv] bank1 ,i he>d a spla%4 ,i jump$ 
91 b !re 0 no /ick1 only "o ( ! *ildr5  
float+ d[n on ! /ream1 & scream+ :5ev]  
h] head came f "u ! wat]4  ,i ?\ght x 0 
a new k9d ( game1 n v int]e/+1 s ,i swam
 out aga92 & j z ,i 0 %ak+ ! wat] out ( 
my e>s1 ,i he>d ano!r great flop1 & !re 
0 ,rov] 9 ! wat]1 hold+ on to ! *ild's  
dress4 ,he pull$ h] out "s t5 y>ds d[n !
 /ream2 & oh6 if y c\ld h se5 ! fuss t !
 ma/] & mi/ress & ! re/ ( ! *ildr5 made 
( t black & :ite spott$ p]son6  ,:y1    
,rov]1 ,i said aft]w>ds1 :5 we _h got   
home & 7 talk+ x ov]1 :atev] made y ?9k 
t ! *ild want$ to be pull$ out ( ! wat]8
  ,x's my bus9ess to pull p out ( !     
wat]1 he said4  ,b1 ,i urg$1 ,i always  
?\ght y 7 too /upid to und]/& ?+s4  ,did
 y8 he said1 turn+ 8 mild eyes on me4   
,:y didn't y expla9 to me t y----  ,my  
de> dog1 he said1 ,i nev] ?9k x wor?    
:ile to fet* /icks out ( ! wat]1 & ,i   
nev] ?9k x wor? :ile to expla9 ?+s to   
/upid p4     ,! ,dy]'s ,dog   ,,%e 0    

beautiful1 ) a /range une>?ly beauty4   
,%e _h a little black nose4 ,h] eyes 7  
small1 b bright & full ( *>m4 ,h] e>s 7 
long & s(t1 & h] tail curl$ l "o ( !    
o/ri* plumes 9 ! w9d[ ( ! dy] ) :om %e  
liv$4  ,i h met _m little dogs ) noses z
 *>m+1 & eyes z bright1 & tails z curly2
 b nev] "o :o1 l my ,bessie1 0 a ri*1   
deep p9k all ov]4  ,i liv$ ) a bak] !n4 
,i 0 sitt+ on 8 door/ep :5 %e fir/      
delight$ my eyes4 ,i ran across ! road  
to give h] good morn+4 ,%e seem$ pleas$ 
to see me4 ,we _h a little *at ab\t !   
wea!r & ! o!r dogs 9 ! /reet1 & ab\t    
buns1 & rats1 & ! vices ( ! dome/ic cat4
  ,h] mann]s & h] conv]sation 7 z bright
 & *>m+ z h] eyes4 ,be=e we p>t$1 we _h 
made an appo9tm5t = ! next aft]noon1 & z
 ,i said good-bye1 ,i v5tur$ to ask--   
,h[ is x1 lady1 t y are ( su* a         
surpass+ly beautiful col\r8  ,x is      
natural to our family1 %e said1 toss+ h]
 pretty e>s4 ,my "m 0 ! ,royal ,crimson 
,dog at ! ,c\rt ( ! ,k+ ( ,india4  ,i   
b[$ ) deep respect & )drew1 = ,i he>d !m

 call+ me at home4  ,! next day ,i look$
 = my beautiful p9k-col\r$ lady1 b ,i   
look$ 9 va94 ,in/ead1 a dog ( a bright  
sky-blue1 ) a yell[ ribbon r\nd its     
neck1 sat 9 ! sun on ! dy]'s door/ep4   
,yet1 c\ld ,i be mi/ak58 ,t nose1 ^?    
e>s1 t fea!ry tail1 ^? bright & beam+   
eyes6  ,i w5t across4 ,%e receiv$ me )  
"s emb>rassm5t1 :i* disappe>$ z ,i talk$
 gaily ( milk & gu9ea pigs1 & ! habits (
 ! cats'-meat man4 ,be=e we p>t$ ,i     
said--  ,y h *ang$ y\r dress4  ,yes1 %e 
said1 x's s common & vulg> to we> always
 "o col\r4  ,b ,i ?\ght--,i hesitat$--t 
y\r "m 0 ! ,royal ,crimson ,dog at !    
,c\rt (----  ,s %e 01 repli$ ! lady     
promptly1 b my fa!r 0 ! well-kn[n       
sky-blue t]ri] at ! ,cry/al ,palace ,dog
 ,%[4 ,i resemble bo? my p>5ts4  ,i     
retir$1 fasc9at$ by h] high bre$+ &     
graceful explanations4 ,?r\gh my dreams 
t night w&]$ a long procession ( blue & 
crimson dogs4  ,! next day1 :5 ,i hurri$
 to keep ! appo9tm5t %e _h be5 good     
en\gh to make ) me1 ,i f\nd h] a deep   

purple4 ,aga9 ,i conceal$ my surprise1  
:ile we talk$ ( subjects ( common       
int]e/1 ( dog-coll>s & *a9s & k5nels1 ( 
biscuits1 bones1 & ! outrage ( ! muzzl+ 
ord]2 & at la/ ,i said--  ,y h *ang$ y\r
 dress aga94 ,y\r "m 0 ! ,royal----     
,oh1 don't1 %e said1 x's s tiresome to  
keep repeat+ ?+s4 ,my fa!r 0 r$ & my "m 
0 blue1 & ,i myself1 z y see1 am purple4
 ,don't y "k t crimson & blue make      
purple8 ,any *ild ) a %ill+ box ( pa9ts 
c\ld h told y t4  ,i ?ank$ h]1 & came   
away4 ,purple seem$ to me ! mo/         
beautiful col\r 9 ! _w4  ,b ! next day  
%e 0 gre5--z gre5 z grass4 ,aft] !      
cu/om>y ex*ange ( civilities1 ,i rem>k$ 
firmly--  ,blue & crimson may make      
purple1 b----  ,b gre5 is my fav\rite   
col\r1 %e said briskly4 ,i suppose a dog
 is n to be b\nd d[n by ! prejudices (  
its p>5ts8  ,i w5t away v sadly1 &1 z ,i
 w5t1 ,i notic$ t !re 7 "s curta9s 9 !  
dy]'s w9d[ ( exactly ! same t9t z my    
fri5d's dress4 ,! next day %e 0 gone4   
,i s\ght h] 9 va94 ,! day aft]1 a ,fr5* 

poodle appe>$ on ! dy]'s door/ep1 dress$
 9 /ripes ( orange & sc>let4 ,i w5t     
boldly across to him4  ,good morn+1 old 
man2 h[ d y come to be t col\r8 ,i said4
  ,!y dye me s1 he answ]$ gloomily4 ,x's
 a dreadful lot = a dog t respects      
himself4  ,i nev] saw ,bessie b once    
aga94 ,%e seem$ !n to be liv+ ) a       
t9smi?1 & h] col\r 0 a g+]y :ite4  ,i   
hope ,i am too mu* ( a g5tleman to taunt
 any lady 9 mis=tune1 b ,i c\ldn't help 
say+--  ,:y don't y we> any ( y\r       
beautiful col\r$ dresses n[8  ,%e answ]$
 me curtly1 = %e saw t %e _h ceas$ to   
*>m4  ,i gave up we>+ my pretty dresses1
 %e said1 because silly p ask$ me s _m  
que/ions ab\t !m4  ,z usual1 ,i accept$ 
h] explanations 9 sil5ce2 b1 :5 ,i see !
 poodle opposite1 9 8 v>y+ glories (    
blue1 & gre51 & orange1 & purple1 ,i c't
 help ?9k+ t p]haps my fair ,bessie did 
n always speak ! tru?4    ,! ,va9 ,sett]
   ,,ours is "o ( ! mo/ anci5t & noble  
families 9 ! l&1 & ,i cont5d t family   
pride is an exalt$ s5tim5t4 ,i /ill hold

 to ?is belief1 9 spite ( all ! suff]+s 
t x has br\ght ^u me4  ,my fa!r1 ^:     
ance/or came ov] ) ! ,conqu]or1 has tak5
 prizes at _m a c\nty %[2 & my "m1 !    
h&some/ ( h] sex1 took "o prize1 & w\ld 
h tak5 m1 b = ! un=tunate accid5t ( hav+
 h] tail cut (f 9 a door4  ,i e>ly      
det]m9$ to be wor?y ( my high bre$+ &   
und\bt$ desc5t4 ,a sett] %\ld h long1   
silky e>s4 ,i made my bro!r pull m9e    
g5tly = an h\r at a "t4 ,9 ord] to l5g!n
 !m1 ,i comb$ _! fr+es ) my paws4  ,my  
fa!r's br[ is l(ty & n>r[4 ,! un=tunate 
accid5t :i* remov$ my "m f public life1 
sugge/$ to me a way ( cultivat+ our mo/ 
fam\s family *>act]i/ic4 ,i us$ to place
 my head betwe5 ! doorpo/ & ! door1 :ile
 my bro!r lean$ g5tly aga9/ ! latt]1 s z
 to press my skull to ! requisite %ape4 
,my legs1 ,i knew1 ought to be /raight4 
,i nev] indulg$ 9 any ( ^? field-sports1
 to :i* my bro!r e>ly turn$ a           
light-he>t$ att5tion2 = ,i knew t undue 
ex]cise t5ds to curve ! legs4  ,my tail 
0 my special c>e4 ,reg>dless ( com=t1 ,i

 twi/$ myself into ! %ape ( a capital   
,o1 &1 hold+ ! end ( my tail g5tly1 b   
firmly1 9 my tee?1 ,i /ret*$ myself & x4
  ,s mu* pa9s devot$ to su* a noble     
object c\ld n be ?r[n away4 ,i became ! 
h&some/ sett] 9 ! ?ree c\nties4  ,my    
bro!r1 9 ! meantime1 grew exp]t 9 !     
co>se sport+ ex]cises to :i* he devot$ 8
 en]gies4 ,he _h no pride4 ,he tramp$ ! 
mud ( ! fields2 he tore 8 e>s 9 bramble 
bu%es2 & ,i h se5 him s f> lose all s5se
 ( our family's dignity z to grovel at !
 feet ( 8 ma/]1 & raise "o ( 8 paws1 to 
indicate t birds 7 ne>--common birds2 ,i
 believe !y are call$ p>tridges4  ,y    
might z well1 ,i said to him bitt]ly--y 
might z well h be5 born a po9t]4  ,:y n8
 he said4 ,i "k a po9t]1 he w5t on1     
laugh+ 9 8 m]ry1 c>eless way--,i "k a   
po9t] :o lives at ! ,p9es ,f>m4 ,a      
capital fell[ he is4  ,my de> boy1 ,i   
said1 j come & squeeze my head 9 ! door 
a little1 w y8 & let me tell y t = "o ( 
our family to associate ) a po9t] is    
social ru9--common1 co>se1 smoo?-coat$  

p]sons1 relat$1 ,i %\ld suppose1 to !   
vulg> plum-pudd+ dog4  ,my bro!r only   
laugh$2 b he 0 a good-natur$ fell[1 &   
p9*$ my head 9 ! door until my =ehead   
c\ld /& ! /ra9 no long]4  ,i 0 s5t to ! 
,cry/al ,palace ,dog ,%[2 &1 z ,i look$ 
r\nd on ! hundr$s ( dogs ( all families 
& nationalities1 ,i brea!d a sigh (     
cont5tm5t1 & bless$ ! fate t _h made me1
 9 ?is ,engl& ( ours1 a well-born       
,engli% sett]4 ,my bro!r 0 n at ! ,%[1 (
 c\rse2 b ,i ?9k ev5 he w\ld h admir$ me
 if he c\ld h se5 h[ f> sup]ior ,i 0 to 
all ab\t me4 ,( c\rse1 ,i took ! fir/   
prize4 ,my mission 0 fulfill$3 my family
 pride 0 satisfi$4 ,! judges unanim\sly 
pron\nc$ me to be ! mo/ p]fect &        
beautiful sport+ dog 9 ! :ole ,%[4 ,my  
ma/]1 wild ) delight1 patt$ my silky    
=ehead1 & !n turn$ aside to talk ) a /\t
 g5tleman 9 gait]s4  ,i ?\ght ( :at my  
life w\ld be--"o long1 joy\s r\nd ( %[s1
 applause1 pats on ! head f a grateful  
ma/]1 delici\s food & fir/ prizes4  ,b  
my ma/]'s base nature--8 ance/ors came  

ov] ) ,george & ! ,hanov]ians--/ruck all
 my hopes to ! gr\nd4 ,i woke f my dream
 ( triumph to f9d myself sold to ! /\t  
man 9 gait]s4  ,i nev] saw my bro!r     
aga94 ,i 0 nev] able to tell my fond &  
dot+ "m t ,i1 l h]1 _h tak5 a prize4 ,i 
0 nev] able to *at ) my fa!r ov] a bone1
 comp>+ ) him exp]i5ces ( ! %[ b5*4 ,!  
/\t1 gait]$ man took me away into a f>  
c\ntry4  ,! next morn+ he took me out   
into ! fields1 & look$ at me f "t to "t1
 z if he expect$ me to d some?+4        
,unwill+ to disappo9t him1 ,i sat d[n & 
began my usual ex]cise = l5g!n+ my tail4
 ,he at once /ruck me viol5tly4 ,we w5t 
a little f>!r1 & ,i notic$ t he look$ m 
& m displeas$2 b ,i c\ld n imag9e :at x 
c\ld be t s di/ress$ him4 ,pres5tly "o (
 ^? common p>tridge birds _h ! imp]t95ce
 to fly out close to me4 ,i caught x at 
once1 & look$ r\nd = applause4 ,!re only
 came ano!r %[] ( bl[s4  ,:at's ! good (
 y\r tak+ prizes1 he said1 if y're su*  
an idiot 9 ! field8--might z well h a   
greyh\nd4  ,i wi% y _h1 ,i said "u my   

brea?4  ,i sp5t a week 9 torm5t1 & !n x 
occurr$ to me t ?is l[-born1 gait]$     
p]son w\ld h be5 bett] pleas$ ) my      
bro!r4 ,s ,i tri$ to recall ! tricks )  
:i* my bro!r _h p>ticul>ly aggravat$ me2
 &1 ! next "t ,i smelt a p>tridge1 ,i   
lay d[n1 z ,i _h se5 my bro!r d1 & lift$
 a fooli% foot4 ,i 0 rew>d$ ) a pat &   
enc\ragem5t4  ,i h n[ sunk entirely to  
my bro!r's level4 ,my ma/] pron\nces me 
to be a mo/ excell5t sport+ dog4 ,b ,i  
%all nev] =get ! bl[s & angry words t 7 
necess>y to make me r5\nce my ideal (   
:at a sett] %\ld be2 & deep 9 my he>t ,i
 /ill *]i%1 ) passionate devotion1 my   
views on duty1 & my hon\rable family    
pride4             ,pr9t$ by            
,,ballantyne1 ,,hanson  ,,co4           
,ed9burgh  ,london