Փետրվարի
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The Dog and the Cat
The Dog and the Cat
| At one time, the Cat was a furrier; |
| And the Dog had no hat for his head, But, I know not how, from somewhere, He had managed to snatch a lambskin. |
| And one day, in the early winter, He went to the Cat with this fur. “Greeting to you, Master Cat; My head feels cold: for the love of God, Take this fur and sew for me A cap that will fit me really well. |
| You can rest assured about the money, Only, do not take long to finish it!” |
| “With great pleasure, Uncle Dog, It is merely a cap you want, not a coat! As a favour for your esteemed custom, I will have it ready by Friday. |
| There is no need to talk about money: That would be truly shameful between us! And, Heavens above, it is no great thing, Only the price of a cap and no more!” |
| So on the Friday, prior to the Cat, Uncle Dog, with his head bare, Looking serious and hasty of step, Went and stood before the furrier’s door: |
| “Where is the Master? Where is my cap?” “He will soon be here, wait a little.” |
| Master Cat arrived wearing a fur coat; |
| He saw the Dog and under his whiskers He muttered to himself a little And then roared at the customer: “Are you frost-bitten, impatient fellow, Will you not let one breathe? You know, It is no easy task: I have only just Sprayed the fur with water, to sew it!” |
| “Well, bless my soul, say so then; What are you getting so angry about? I give you money to sew it up quickly, If you can’t do it, I’ll come tomorrow! Yon make a promise and don’t keep it, Then you raise your voice and shout at me! It’s all talk, talk, talk, talk: How many more times am I to come and go?” |
| Thus spoke the Dog angrily And departed, with his head still bare. |
| He called again and still it was not ready. This time they swore at each other: They used disgraceful and shamless words, Like ‘thieving Cat’ and ‘bald-headed Dog’, |
| Cursed each other’s parents and much else, |
| And the affair ended before the judge. |
| By the time the Dog had gone back and forth, Master Cat was reduced to bankruptcy, And one night, he decided to run away, And disappeared right out of sight..! |
| And from then on, to this very day, The Dog has not forgotten his claim And still remembers this incident: Whenever he comes across the Cat, He leaps up and chases after him Demanding back his fur. |
| Whilst the impudent Cat suddenly Swings round and angrily Spits at the Dog, as if to say, “I have just sprayed it, to sew it!” |