Why Cat and Dog Aren't Friends

Cat and Dog were best of friends until one day when they soon fell apart and have ever remained bitter enemies since. They were so friendly until they did almost everything in common!

One day, they heard the news that the Chief of their Clan was going to host a grand feast for every animal with horns within two weeks time; and therefore, every animal with horns was especially invited to attend this gay festivity.

But Cat and Dog didn’t have any horn at all, and how would they manage to attend the occasion? This worried them the more they thought of what a day of enjoyment that would be! Because, the Chief was very noted for extravagantly spending mostly on occasions like this when he would be in a very happy mood.

The Chief, when happy during this time of the year, once the seasons were around the corner, would offer goats, sheep, chickens, and even cows as well in abundance for those he would invite to have enough to eat. He would even offer drinks for them to drink and be merry.

For his reason and others, Cat and Dog had every cause to feel as if they had been marginalized by the Chief. They felt the Chief knew their predicament deliberately contrived to capitalize on it; “when you’re not a member, don’t interfere with bush matters!” it is often said.

But Cat and Dog were cunning enough; they quickly contrived a plan and therefore worried no more.

For sometime past, Cat and Dog were travelling in the bushes and found a dead deer lying prostrate on the ground. They grabbed hold of the horn and took it to town. By that, Cat and Dog had the hope of attending the occasion, once in possession of the dead deer’s horn! But who would be the first to use the find? That was the question.

Finally, when the day of the ball came, Dog said to Cat: “Let me be the first to use the horn since I’m your big brother.”

Cat hesitated for a while and reluctantly consented to Dog’s request.

Even though it was mutually agreed between Dog and Cat that they share the usage of their cherished find on a fifty-fifty basis, meaning, at regular intervals during the ball, Dog would step out of the festivity, hand over the horn to Cat. They would then alternate until the end of the festivities. But Dog had something fishy under his sleeves!

Dog was never to be trusted each time there was a deal. This is because he always had a selfish disposition and considered himself superior to Cat because of his size. But as will be seen soon, Dog became the victim of his own selfishness for Cat was now wary than ever before and therefore kept an eagle eye on Dog, watching every move he made!

“At times, my friend is very honest to me. Then at times, he becomes very unpredictable! For who knows what might be on his mind by now. But let the ball begin and if he attempts anything foolish, I’ll surely reveal the secret.” said Cat to himself.

And with these premeditations, Cat waited quietly for the ball to commence.

Finally, all was set for the ball. Every animal was happy for the party was definitely theirs!

As for domestic animals like chicken, cat, dog and duck, they had every reason to worry. But for Cat and Dog, though, they found a horn but were worried about how they could use it and avoid suspicion.

That night, every animal with horn entered the hall of the ball with ease. Even Dog who cleverly managed to attach the deer’s horn on his head entered the hall without anyone suspecting. Then a melodious music started to play as almost every animal took to the floor. They danced, danced and danced, sweating like nobody’s business. Dog danced and was carried away by the rhyme and rhythm of the music, the intoxication of the drinks and the delicious food o free offer. He soon forgot that Cat was waiting anxiously in the stillness of the dark night for him to return so that Cat too could enter the hall and enjoy himself. Cat became very impatient and soon started to shout aloud for everyone to hear!

“Dog! Dog!! Your term is now over. Please hurry and come so that I may have my term too!” Cat cried in the middle of the still night.

“You’re too greedy; you want to have the whole night to yourself!” Cat, who had now grown out of patience and was shivering in the cold night, shouted. “You know that we jointly found the horn and planned to use it at intervals; and you are treating me in this uncompromising way.”

Cat continued to cry until the Master of Ceremony finally heard his cry and called off the dance after stopping the music.

There was a brief moment of silence all over the place as the M.C. inquired of the crowd: “Who is Mr. Dog amongst you here? I do not know Dog to have horn!”

The Chief immediately deployed a team of vigilant inspectors in the hall with the instruction that no one should leave or enter the hall until everyone was checked!

As the inspectors checked every animal’s horn, Mr. Dog’s horn soon broke loose and fell onto the ground; the glue with which he had fixed it onto his forehead became weak.

And with this strange discovery, the Chief ordered Mr. Dog locked in one of the Chief’s security prisons, amidst the noise of the jeering crowd who chanted: “Mr. Dog is a rogue. He faked a horn to deceive us and join in our festival!”

At that stage Mr. Cat entered the hall as did some other animals that had no horn. As Mr. Dog was being thrown into prison, he felt so ashamed that he could not look Mr. Cat in the face. From that day, Cat and Dog have ever remained the bitterest of enemies.

(Author’s Note: This Short Story, is sincerely dedicated to my deceased grandmother, Naylon, who narrated it to me when I was a boy of about 11 years.)