“‘For the same reason that a cow moos and a horse neighs, and a pig squeals, and a bird sings, and a frog croaks, and people speak,’ answered Phi. ‘Of course all these would mew if they could, but as they cannot mew they must do what they can do.’
“‘And why, oh Phi, are some cats born white, and others black, and others gray, and others of divers colors?’
“‘Because,’ answered Phi, ‘it takes all kinds of cats to make a world.’
“Just at this moment a young black-and-white cat came up and began spitting at the dog, and clawing the cat, and biting the boy’s toes. When the dog growled, the cross cat ran out of sight.
“‘Shall we go on and observe what that ill behaved creature will do next?’ asked Phi.
“‘By all means,’ answered Mouseroun, ‘but look where at yonder window a ribboned white cat sits stiff and straight, gazing at something afar. Let us hasten thither.’
Cupep the Careful.
“They hastened, and when they reached the window Mouseroun asked of the ribboned white cat: ‘Oh, ribboned white cat, sitting stiff and straight gazing at something afar, at what art thou gazing, and what is thy name?’
“‘I am gazing at flies,’ answered the ribboned white cat, ‘and I am called Cupep the Careful.’