Fables

The Cat-Maiden

THE GODS were once disputing whether it was possible for a living being to change its nature. Jupiter said “Yes,” but Venus said “No.” So, to try the question, Jupiter turned a Cat into a Maiden, and gave her to a young man for a wife. The wedding was duly performed and the young couple sat down to the wedding feast. “See,” said Jupiter, to Venus, “how becomingly she behaves. Who could tell that yesterday she was but a Cat? Surely her nature is changed?”

“Wait a minute,” replied Venus, and let loose a mouse into the room. No sooner did the bride see this than she jumped up from her seat and tried to pounce upon the mouse. “Ah, you see,” said Venus,

“NATURE WILL OUT.”

Interpretations and Insights:

“The Cat-Maiden” is a fable that revolves around the themes of innate nature, the power of instincts, and the dispute between immutable identity and the potential for change.

  1. Main Lesson - The Power of Innate Nature: The primary lesson delivered by this fable is the power of our inherent nature, as expressed through the proverb “Nature will out.” The cat, despite being transformed into a maiden, can’t resist her inherent feline instincts when a mouse appears. The idea proposed is that fundamental aspects of our nature are difficult, if not impossible, to change completely.

  2. Insight into Self Identity: The fable prompts an exploration of the conflict between one’s true self and the self we may be trying to project due to external circumstances or pressures. The cat-turned-maiden behaves appropriately at the feast until the mouse appears, which shows the clash between her new identity and her true nature.

  3. Subtle Details and Added Complexity: The transformation of the cat into a maiden by Jupiter and the subsequent wedding adds depth to the fable. The gods’ dispute about whether nature can be changed suggests a higher conversation about the extent of divine influence over natural instincts and traits. This raises questions about the interplay between nature and nurture, and the balance between innate identity and acquired behaviour.

  4. Non-Obvious Lesson - Limitations of Surface Transformations: Despite her physical transformation into a maiden, the cat’s feline instincts remain intact. This can be interpreted as an observation that surface changes or superficial adaptations cannot alter deep-seated behaviours and instincts.

  5. Added Insight on Temptation and Testing: Venus’s releasing of the mouse is a deliberate test of the cat’s new identity, introducing the concept of temptation. It illustrates how true nature often reveals itself in unexpected or stressful situations.

  6. Reflection on Individuality and Conformity: The fable indirectly reflects on societal expectations and the pressure to conform. Despite the cat’s outward transformation and apparent assimilation into human behaviour, her true self manifests when faced with a situation that resonates with her original identity.

Additional Interpretations and Insights:

  1. Human vs. Animal Instincts: The fable points to the intrinsic difference between human and animal instincts. While the cat can mimic human behavior on a superficial level, she cannot suppress her primal instincts when provoked, hinting at the inherent distinctiveness of human and animal natures.

  2. Impersonation vs. Transformation: The fable subtly suggests the difference between impersonating a form and truly transforming into it. The cat, despite taking on the appearance of a maiden, still holds onto her feline instincts, illustrating that genuine transformation goes beyond mere physical appearance.

Overall, “The Cat-Maiden” is a rich exploration of the enduring strength of inherent nature, the potential illusion of surface changes, the testing power of temptation, and the tension between conformity and individuality.