THE KING of THE CATS
by Unknown · from Fairy Tales, Volume 2 (of 2)
Adapted Version
Tom and Ben lived in a cozy house. It was far away, near big green hills. They had a black cat named Shadow. They also had dogs. An old woman lived with them. She cooked their food.
One day, Tom went for a walk. It was autumn. He went alone. A thick fog came. Tom could not see well. He got lost. He could not find his way home.
Ben waited for Tom. Tom was very late. Ben felt a little worried. He looked out the window. He waited and waited. Supper time came and went.
Tom came home. He was wet. He was tired. They ate supper. Then they sat by the fire. Shadow, the black cat, sat too. Shadow listened closely. Tom began his story.
Tom told about the fog. It was very thick. He could not see. He walked and walked. Then he saw a light. It was a small, bright light. It looked like a tiny star.
Tom followed the light. It moved. He walked to a big tree. It was an old oak tree. The light was inside the tree. It was in a hole in the trunk.
Tom looked down into the hole. He saw many cats. So many cats were there. They were all black cats. They were very quiet. They had a special meeting inside.
The cats carried a tiny box. It was a small box. They walked slowly with it. On the box was a little crown. There was a little stick too. It was very strange to see.
Shadow, the black cat, jumped up. He made a loud sound. It was a big, surprising meow. Shadow said, "Oh my! Old Peter is gone!" He said, "I am the Cat King now!" He spoke very clearly.
Shadow ran very fast. He ran up the chimney. He went out of sight. Tom and Ben watched him go. They never saw Shadow again. He was gone forever.
Original Story
THE KING OF THE CATS
Many years ago there lived in the north of Scotland, in a very lonely house, far from all other houses, two young men who were brothers. An old woman used to do their cooking, and there was no one else, unless we count her cat and their dogs, within miles of them.
One autumn afternoon the elder of the two said he would not go out; so the younger one went alone to follow the path where they had been shooting the day before. He intended to return home before sunset. However, he did not do so, and the older brother became very uneasy as he watched and waited in vain, till long after their usual supper-time. At last he returned, wet and exhausted, nor did he explain why he was so late. But after supper, when the two brothers were seated before the fire, the dogs lying at their feet and the old woman’s black cat sitting gravely, with half-shut eyes, on the hearth, the young man began to tell his story.
“You must be wondering,” said he, “what made me so late. I have had a very strange adventure to-day; I hardly know what to say about it. I went, as I told you I should, along our yesterday’s route. A mountain fog came on just as I was about to turn homeward, and I completely lost my way. I wandered about for a long time, not knowing where I was, till at last I saw a light, and made for it, hoping to get help. As I came near it disappeared, and I found myself close to a large oak tree. I climbed into the branches the better to look for the light, and behold! there it was right beneath me, inside the hollow trunk of the tree. I seemed to be looking down into a church, where a funeral was taking place. I heard singing, and saw a coffin surrounded by torches, all carried by—But there! I know you won’t believe me if I tell you.”
His brother eagerly begged him to go on. The dogs were sleeping quietly, but the cat was sitting up and seemed to be listening as carefully and attentively as the man. Both brothers found themselves watching the cat as the young man took up the story.
“Yes,” he continued, “it is as true as I sit here. The coffin and the torches were both carried by cats, and upon the coffin was marked a crown and scepter!”
He got no further, for the black cat started up, shrieking, “Good gracious! old Peter’s dead, and I’m King o’ the Cats!” then rushed up the chimney and was seen no more.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Two brothers live in a remote Scottish house with their old cook and her black cat. One evening, the younger brother returns late from hunting, having gotten lost in a mountain fog. He recounts a strange tale of finding a light in a hollow oak tree, where he witnessed a funeral conducted by cats, with a crown and scepter on the coffin. As he describes this, the household cat suddenly shrieks, declaring itself the new 'King o' the Cats' because 'old Peter's dead,' and then vanishes up the chimney forever.
Themes
Emotional Arc
unease to shock
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale is a variant of a widespread folk motif about a human witnessing a supernatural event involving animals, often leading to a revelation about a household pet.
Plot Beats (10)
- Two brothers live in a remote Scottish house with an old woman, her cat, and their dogs.
- One autumn afternoon, the younger brother goes hunting alone and is delayed by a mountain fog.
- The older brother worries as he waits for his brother's late return.
- After supper, the younger brother begins to recount a strange adventure to his brother, with the household cat listening intently.
- He explains getting lost in the fog and seeing a mysterious light.
- He followed the light to a large oak tree and discovered it was coming from inside the hollow trunk.
- Looking down, he witnessed a funeral service being conducted by cats.
- He describes the cats carrying a coffin marked with a crown and scepter.
- Upon hearing this detail, the household cat springs up, shrieking, "Good gracious! old Peter's dead, and I'm King o' the Cats!"
- The cat then rushes up the chimney and is never seen again.
Characters
The Younger Brother
A young man of average height and build, likely lean from an active outdoor life in the Scottish Highlands. He appears exhausted and wet after being lost in a mountain fog.
Attire: Practical, sturdy clothing suitable for hunting and traversing the Scottish Highlands in autumn. This would include wool trousers, a thick wool or tweed jacket, and sturdy leather boots, all likely damp and mud-splattered from his journey.
Wants: To return home safely after hunting, and later, to recount his extraordinary experience to his brother.
Flaw: Prone to getting lost in unfamiliar or foggy conditions, and perhaps a slight naivety in sharing a fantastical story without considering its immediate impact.
Experiences a profound and unsettling supernatural event that challenges his perception of reality, though his personal change isn't explicitly detailed beyond the telling of the tale.
Curious, adventurous (venturing out alone), observant (noticing details of the cat funeral), and initially hesitant to share his unbelievable story, suggesting a degree of caution or self-awareness.
The Elder Brother
A young man, likely of similar build and appearance to his younger brother, accustomed to the rugged life of the Scottish Highlands. He appears concerned and watchful while waiting for his brother.
Attire: Comfortable, practical clothing for being at home in a remote Scottish house, such as a wool waistcoat over a linen shirt, and sturdy trousers. Perhaps a thick wool shawl draped over his shoulders for warmth by the fire.
Wants: To ensure his brother's safety and to understand the reason for his late return.
Flaw: His concern for his brother might make him overly anxious.
Primarily serves as an audience for the younger brother's story; his own arc is not detailed.
Responsible (staying home), concerned (worrying about his brother), eager (begging his brother to continue the story), and open-minded enough to listen to an unbelievable tale.
The Old Woman's Black Cat
A sleek, entirely black domestic cat. It is described as sitting 'gravely' and later 'started up, shrieking'.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To maintain its secret identity and, upon the death of the old King, to claim its rightful place as the new 'King o' the Cats'.
Flaw: Its secret identity is exposed by the younger brother's story.
Undergoes a dramatic transformation from a seemingly ordinary domestic pet to the newly crowned 'King o' the Cats', abandoning its human companions to fulfill its destiny.
Initially calm and observant, almost human-like in its attentiveness. Reveals itself to be part of a secret cat society, with a hidden royal lineage, suggesting a cunning and secretive nature beneath its domestic facade. Becomes frantic and excited upon hearing of the King's death.
Locations
Lonely Scottish House
A remote, isolated house in the north of Scotland, far from other dwellings. The interior features a supper area and a hearth where a fire burns, providing warmth and light. Dogs typically lie at the feet of the residents, and an old woman's black cat sits gravely by the fire.
Mood: Cozy, isolated, initially uneasy due to the late return, then mysterious and tense during the storytelling.
The younger brother recounts his strange adventure, culminating in the black cat's dramatic revelation and departure.
Mountain Path and Fog
A winding path through a mountainous region in Scotland, where a dense mountain fog can descend quickly, obscuring visibility. The terrain is rugged, leading to a large, ancient oak tree.
Mood: Disorienting, lost, eerie, mysterious.
The younger brother gets lost in the fog, stumbles upon a mysterious light, and eventually finds the hollow oak tree.
Hollow Oak Tree Interior / Cat Funeral
The hollow trunk of a massive, ancient oak tree, which surprisingly opens into a space resembling a small, eerie church. Inside, a funeral procession is taking place, lit by torches and attended by cats.
Mood: Surreal, uncanny, macabre, magical.
The younger brother witnesses the funeral of the King of the Cats, a pivotal event that triggers the black cat's transformation.