Cat's Friends

When the world began, Cat was Antelope's friend.

But then Cat saw Lion kill Antelope. "Lion is stronger!" she purred, and became Lion's friend.

Then Cat saw Elephant kill Lion. "Elephant is stronger!" she purred, and became Elephant's friend.

Then Cat saw Man kill Elephant. "Man is stronger!" she purred, and became Man's friend.

Then she saw Woman shouting at Man, "Where have you been? Why do I have to do all the work around here?" and Woman beat Man with a stick until he ran away.

"Oh," purred Cat, "Woman is strongest of all!"

So Cat became Woman's friend.

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Inspired by: "How the Cat Became the Woman’s Friend" in Ethiopian Folktales collected by Elizabeth Laird (website).
Notes: You can read the original story online. The storyteller is Abdul Hakim Abdulahi Jibril.

Abyssinian cat