Allow me to indulge is some wee cat tales, and also tails.
This links to writing in a roundabout way, I promise.
All three of our cats are, well, cats. This they have in
common. They have whiskers and pointy ears and fur and, yes, tails. But here is
where they differ.
^Clara, the oldest, has never done a bad thing in her life.
She never sharpens her claws on anything but the cardboard we provide for such
purpose; never nudges anyone off their food bowl; never attacks the others, and
has never met a person she doesn’t like. She does not assume you want her on
your lap, so she looks to your invitation and will leave with the slightest
sign you’ve had enough. She’s the best (and only, actually) real mouser, and
has kept us rodent-free as fee for her care.
She is the cat you want if you need one working feline.
^Sokolov, our only male, was of feral stock. To this day, he
only accepts five humans, us plus a friend. When I say, “accepts,” I mean he
runs to greet us at the sound of our footsteps, the way a loving dog would. No
other human will ever see him, as he zooms to hide long before they are at the
door. Visitors have to believe me Sokolov exists, because no one gets as much
as a glimpse of his black furry tail. He constantly challenges the others (and
us) for our food, and proceeds to leave vomited hairballs everywhere. You’ll
have to take my word that he’s more than worth all that trouble. Sokolov is the
most intelligent and, at least towards us, the most affectionate.
^Our youngest, Nougat, is a senseless goof. She gets herself
into spaces she can’t get out of, considers everything a batting toy, and talks
all the time. She can hold a continuous conversation for half an hour, as long
as you keep responding. Her sentences are as varied as they are entertaining.
She prefers your company and play to a tasty morsel every time. Folks who think
cats are just food motivated, haven’t met Nougat. “Food? What food? Play with
me, I tell you. Meow-meow, I’m talking to
you!”
This brings me to writing. Yes, they’re all cats, of the Felis Catus species. But they are
individuals. A good reminder not to have generic characters when telling a
story.
