The Morning Mabel Stole the Butter

Told by Mabel the Cat

Mabel wished to make one thing absolutely clear: she had not stolen the butter. She had merely investigated the butter knife, which had been left out in a highly provocative manner on the kitchen counter, and which smelled, she felt, as though it needed attending to.

Nigel, naturally, took all the credit for being the mischievous one on the farm. Nigel with his dramatic hunting. Nigel sleeping in his sheepskin box. Nigel stealing drops from the lamb bottles in full view of everyone, grinning his unrepentant grin.

Mabel preferred to operate quietly. She waited until the kitchen was empty. She ascended to the counter in one fluid motion. She attended to the butter knife with great thoroughness.

When the Farmer returned and found her there, Mabel descended with equal dignity, sat down, and began to wash her face. She had never been in the kitchen. She did not know what a butter knife was.

Nigel, watching from the doorway, looked almost impressed.“There are two kinds of cats, Mabel reflected. Those who are caught, and those who are not. Mabel had simply misjudged the timing, that was all. It would not happen again. (It happened twice more).