I Am A Cat No.2 (1909)
I Am A Cat No.2 (1909)
I Am A Cat No.2 (1909)
KAN-ICHI ANDO.
REVI S ED
BY
KINNOSUKE NATSUME.
Zea Books
Lincoln, Nebraska
2022
Published in Tokyo by Okura & Co., 1909.
This volume includes English translation of Chapters III and
IV of 吾輩は猫である Wagahai-wa neko de aru. The original
of that work first appeared in 1902 and eventually ran to 10
installments or chapters. The author (and reviser) Kinnosuke
Natsume is known under the pen name Natsume Sōseki.
KAN-ICHI ANDO.
KAGOSHIMA, APRIL, 1909.
CHAPTER III.
Dear Mikè is no more, and as Black is not
an agreeable companion I feel a bit lonesome.
To make up for this, however, I have made
new acquaintances among human creatures.
So you see, time does not hang so heavily on
my hands.
The other day, a gentleman wrote to my
master, requesting him to send my picture.
A day or two later, I had a favor shown me by
another gentleman who went to the trouble
of sending me a gift of the famous Okayama
Kibi-dango (millet dumplings). What pleased
me most was that it came to my own address.
With the increasing sympathy shown me by
human beings, I am often led to forget that
I am a cat, feeling myself drawn to them
rather than to my own kith and kin.
As things stand, such an idea as gathering
our race to rise against the two-legged crea-
tures never crosses my mind. What is more,
I sometimes wonder if I am not an actual
member of their society, and then I hug my-
self upon the wonderful development I have
made. You must not think by this that I am
6
Born in space,
Thou studiedst space,
And diedst in space, —
All as void as space.
Alas! Poor Tennen-koji.
“Jam?”
“No, grated radish — saying ‘Come here,
darling, pa will give you something nice.’ It’s
very seldom that he caresses the children;
and even then only to play a trick on them.
Two or three days ago, he took our second
girl in his arms, and put her upon a chest of
drawers, and —”
“What was his plan?” interrupted Meitei
who expects everything he hears to have
some plan in it.
“No plan at all! He simply told her to jump
down. But how could a little girl of three or
four act the part of a tomboy?”
“Really! That was nonsensical. But he is a
good man after all, having not a drop of bad
blood in him.”
“If he had, there would be no living with
him.” Carpingly continued my mistress.
“Come, come, don’t be so discontented. You
have compensations, you know. It’s a bless-
ing that you can enjoy life each day with-
out want. It’s a blessing also to have such a
husband as Mr. Kushami who, never going
astray nor being particular about his appear-
ance, has been created on a simple and eco-
nomical plan.” Meitei was delivering an un-
becoming sermonette in a loud lively tone.
“But the fact is very different —”
18
* * * * * * *
THE END
155
NOTES
156
157