Jack and the Cat

Jack found this cat

and the cat had a broken leg.

Now he was supposed to be a good guy too, friendly and kind

helped his neighbors and all this stuff.

So he took the cat home

and put a splint on its leg

and the cat became a real pet.

And sometimes times were poor

and food was scarce

so sometimes the cat would catch a rabbit

and bring it to him

and they’d have a feed

and the cat’d have his share too.

And sometimes he would bring home a fish

and Jack, you know, he’d help provide the food (unintelligible).

So he had it for a few years

and then one night when—you know, usually it was howling a storm

and he had the big fire in the fireplace

and the cat spoke to him

and said Jack you have to do me a favor.

You have to throw me in the fire.

And Jack said, oh, I couldn’t do that to you

you’re my pet

my friend

and you’re so helpful.

Well, anyhow, the cat begged him and begged him

and he said it would be better for both of us

if you do what I ask, he said

I can’t tell you why

but you’ll find out.

So . . . Jack threw the cat in the fire

and then he put his head in his hands

and he became discontented, melancholy, freckle minded (a phrase Alice used several times later as she recalled the story)

as the cat sizzled.

And his mother said if he should go to bed

but he knew he wouldn’t sleep.

He couldn’t forgive himself, you know

for what he had done to the cat.

But just as he was about to go to bed

a knock came on the door.

And when he opened it here was this handsome young man

and he said, uh, are ye alright, Jack?

And Jack said I don’t know you.

Oh yes you do, he said.

I’ve been living with you, he said

I’m the cat.

He said, there’s a curse put on me that I had to live as a cat

until someone would throw me in the fire

and break the curse.

And he said, you’re the only one.

I’ve asked others.

But you’re the only one who ever did it.

And he took Jack

and took him to wherever, you know, his castle

and all this.

And they all lived happily ever after.

They always did in Grandma’s stories. [laughs]

But we didn’t like—

the thought of the cat sizzling in the fire was too much for us, I think, you know.