Tell Me a Story:
THE CATS' ELOPEMENT

   Once upon a time there lived a cat of exquisite beauty His fur was as soft as silk and his wide green eyes were wise and glittering. His name was Gon. He belonged to a music teacher who was so fond and proud of him that he would not have part-ed with him for anything in the world.

Very near the music teacher's house there lived a woman with a lovely cat named Koma. Koma was a sweetheart, and very dear to the woman. She ate and walked and slept with such daintiness that often people didn't even notice she was there - until she leapt into a lap and kissed a cheek. Her mistress smiled at her and said, "Oh Koma, Koma dear, what would I do without you?"

Now, Gon had long known that it was time for him to take a wife. But Gon was very shy. All the ladies in the neighborhood paid him attention, meowing and strutting and speaking very well of him. Gon did not care a thing about them. He was not easy to please.

Then one evening Gon was out for an evening stroll when he came upon dear Koma, sitting quietly beneath a blossoming cherry tree. He looked at her. She looked at him. And in one moment they fell madly, desperately, for-ever in love. Before Gon had a moment to think, Cupid had entangled him in his net. Oh, how he loved lovely Koma!

And she? She fully returned his passion. But Koma bowed her head. She saw the difficulties in their way. She spoke to Gon about these. "We do not live together," said Koma, "and my mistress loves me so, I could never leave her."

"My master adores me," said Gon sadly. And then he came up with a plan. He returned to his master, the music teacher, and begged him to purchase the beloved Koma. The music master was agreeable, but Korna's mistress would not part with her.

"Sell me to the lady, then?" begged Gon, but the music teacher only shook his head. "I'll do no such thing," said he, and so everything remained as before, the adoring cats seemingly parted.

Months passed, and then the love Gon and Koma felt for each other grew to such a pitch that they decided they must please themselves. They met beneath the cherry tree and planned to run away. They would go off into the world together to seek their fortune.

So one moonlit night the two cats stole away. Off they ventured into the great, wide, unknown world. All day long they marched bravely on, side by side. They strode across the town, happy in the warm sunshine.

Soon their homes were far, far behind them. The sun began to lower, and soon, toward evening, they discovered an enormous green park. By this time the two wanderers were hot and tired.

"How lovely this grass feels," purred Koma. "How inviting it is," said she. Gon had to admit that the trees, casting cool, deep shadows, were pleasurable indeed, and tile two cats decided to rest there for a while.

But suddenly an ogre appeared in this paradise. He came in the shape of a dog! He sprang toward the cats. His mouth was open wide, and all his sharp teeth were showing. Koma shrieked and dashed as fast tree. Gon boldly stood his ground.

He arched his back, preparing to give battle. And he felt strong, for Koma's eyes were upon him.

She screamed and screamed. "Come help, someone!" she cried.

Luckily a servant of the princess to whom the park belonged was walking by.

He drove off the dog, picked up the trembling Gon, and carried the handsome, brave cat to his mistress.

Poor little Koma, left alone, looked down and wept. Meanwhile Gon was borne away, not knowing what to do.

The princess, Gon's new mistress, adored her new cat.

She was delighted with his beauty and generous ways.

But this did not console poor Gon. Oh, he was sad.

But what could he do'?

There was no use fighting against fate, he thought. He could only sit and wait to see what would turn up.

Now the princess was so good and kind that everybody loved her.

She would have been a happy woman indeed if not for a serpent who had fallen madly, deeply in love with her.

The serpent was constantly annoying the poor princess.

She ordered her servants to drive him away whenever he appeared.

But sometimes the servants were careless. And besides, this serpent was extremely sly.

He managed to slip into the castle and to slide into the princess's private chambers.

One day the princess was in her room playing her harp when suddenly she felt something slithery glide up her silk sash.

Her enemy was just about to kiss her when she shrieked and threw herself backward. Gon had been curled up on a stool at her feet.

He heard his princess cry out, and with a single bound he leapt and seized the wicked snake by his neck. He gave him one bite and then a shake.

Then he flung the creature to the ground where he lay, never to worry the princess again.

The princess took Gon in her arms and praised and caressed him.

She spoiled him with delicacies and silken pillows and all the attention he could ever dream of receiving.

And Gon would have been ever so happy, truly pleased.

Except he had one wish - He wished to find Koma again.

Time passed. And then at last one morning Gon lay basking in the sun. He looked out at the world stretched before him when he saw in the distance a ruffian of a cat teasing a quiet, little one.

He jumped up and chased away the fearsome cat.

Then he turned to comfort the other and his heart nearly burst. "Koma!" he cried.

At first Koma did not recognize her beloved.

He had grown so large and stately in the palace.

But then she knew, and her joy knew no bounds.

They rubbed heads and noses again and again, and people a mile off could hear their delighted purring.

Paw in paw they appeared before the princess and told her the story of their lives and their sorrows.

The princess promised they would never again part.

"You will live with me until the end of your days," said she.