Rudyard Kipling

Chapter Headings. «Pussy Can Sit by the Fire and Sing...»

Pussy can sit by the fire and sing,
	Pussy can climb a tree,
Or play with a silly old cork and string
	To ’muse herself, not me.
But I like Binkie my dog, because
	He knows how to behave;
So, Binkie’s the same as the First Friend was,
	And I am the Man in the Cave!
 
Pussy will play Man-Friday till
	It’s time to wet her paw
And make her walk on the window-sill
	(For the footprint Crusoe saw);
Then she fluffles her tail and mews,        
	And scratches and won’t attend.
But Binkie will play whatever I choose,
	And he is my true First Friend!

Pussy will rub my knees with her head
	Pretending she loves me hard;
But the very minute I go to my bed
	Pussy runs out in the yard,
And there she stays till the morning-light;
	So I know it is only pretend;
But Binkie, he snores at my feet all night,
	And he is my Firstest Friend!

                       	JUST SO STORIES
	The Cat That Walked by Himself.