You've heard of several kinds of cat

And my opinion now is that

You should need no interpreter to understand our character

You've learned enough to take the view

That cats are very much like you

You've seen us both at work and games

And learnt about our proper names

Our habits and habitat

But how would you ad-dress a cat



So first, your memory I'll jog

And say: A cat is not a dog

So first, your memory I'll jog

And say: A cat is not a dog



With cats, some say, one rule is true

Don't speak 'til you are spoken to

Myself I do not hold with that

I say, you should ad-dress a cat

But always bear in mind that he resents familiarity

You bow, and taking off your hat, ad-dress him in this form "O Cat!"



Before a cat will condescend

To treat you as a trusted friend

Some little token of esteem is needed, like a dish of cream

And you might now and then supply

Some caviar or Straussburg pie

Some potted grouse or salmon paste

He's sure to have his personal taste

And so in time you reach your aim

And call him by his name



A cat's entitled to expect

These evidences of respect

So this is this and that is that

And there's how you ad-dress a cat



A cat's entitled to expect these evidences of respect

So this is this and that is that

And there's how you ad-dress a cat



Palash Desai

palashd@macs.ee.mcgill.ca