CAT AND RAT

A certain cat decided to go on a pilgrimage to the holy city during the Dhul-Hijja (the 12th Islamic calendar month).

 He told the rats of his intention, and set off. When he came back after a long time, he was wearing a white burnouse and a white turban, just like most learned men in the land. He received and entertained the chief of the rats who came to pay him homage as a Muslim scholar.

The cat announced: "I have learned many truths, among others I have been taught that it is bad to eat rats, so your people no longer have to worry.

From now on I will live like the Holy Prophet. I will only feed on

milk and barley bread".

The rat-chief bowed, took his leave and went to tell his people what the cat had said.

The next morning they saw the cat approaching, but he did not

seem interested in the rats. He was walking slowly, all the while

mumbling, as he read in the Holy Book.

He did not seem hungry nor angry, but just walked up and down the path past the rat­ holes, with his eyes fixed on the sacred scripture.

Gradually, the rats began to get used to the new attitude of the

saintly cat and reverted to their daily business.

At last they had lost all their fear of the cat. So, one day, two very

fat female rats saw the cat approaching but they did not hide. Suddenly, as he was close to them, the cat leapt on them and caught them both by the neck.

"A cat may lose his tail, but he will never lose his lust for meat", the cat yelled.

When the rats heard of this tragic tale, they all went back home to build a deeper tunnel.