“Why do dogs and cats always fight?” children used to ask.
And the father would say: “I’ll tell you why.” And everyone gathered close.
“Once upon a time, dogs and cats were the best of friends. When the dogs went out of town, they left their cards on the cats, and when the cats went out of town, they left their cards on the dogs. That was how friendly they were.
“One day all the dogs went out on a great rat-hunt, and they were gone a very long time — because they killed every rat they could find.
“When the cats heard that the dogs had taken to killing rats, they were furious. Killing rats was their business. They lay in wait for the dogs coming home and set upon them the moment they appeared.
“‘Get them! At them! Give it to them!’ shouted the cats, and they flew at the dogs with everything they had.
“And from that day to this, dogs and cats have never met without fighting.”
And everyone listening laughed until their sides hurt.
