Having already presented us with fascinating stories of dog and bear, Alfred Elwes gives us quite a mature account of a very fine cat. He says, “In selecting the biography of another animal from the Archives of Caneville, for the entertainment of a very different race, I thought I could not do better than fix upon "The Cat.”
And what of this “fine cat” who seems so human? By his own admission, “It has been said by more than one animal, that Cats are such selfish creatures that they are envious of the enjoyments of others, and can feel no pleasure beyond their own particular gratifications. I deny that this is the truth. I, a Cat, boldly affirm, in defence of my tribe, that they are capable of as strong and unselfish affections as those of any other beasts”.
- Summary by Larry Wilson
And what of this “fine cat” who seems so human? By his own admission, “It has been said by more than one animal, that Cats are such selfish creatures that they are envious of the enjoyments of others, and can feel no pleasure beyond their own particular gratifications. I deny that this is the truth. I, a Cat, boldly affirm, in defence of my tribe, that they are capable of as strong and unselfish affections as those of any other beasts”.
- Summary by Larry Wilson
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