CLASS 10 BLISS
Lesson 7: The Cat by Andrew Barton Paterson
The author and the text:
Andrew Barton Paterson (1864-1941) was an Australian poet, journalist and author who wrote extensively on Australian life. His notable works include Waltzing Matilda and The Man from Snowy River.
The text describes in minute detail the daily activities of cats. The humorous narrative takes us into the world of cats and indicates to us that they may not be the gentle and timid creatures that we take them for.
Unit 1
Most people think that the cat is an unintelligent animal, fond of ease and caring little for anything but mice and milk. But a cat has really more character than most human beings, and gets a great deal more satisfaction out of life.
He—or she—is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter. All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy and allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the people in the house. To pass the time away he sometimes watches a mouse-hole for an hour or two—just to keep himself from dying of boredom. People get this idea that this sort of thing is all that holds life for a cat. But watch him as the shades of evening fall. You can see the cat as he really is.
Word Nest (Unit 1)
- character: personality
- acrobat: one who entertains through difficult physical movements
- grim: serious
Comprehension exercises (Unit 1)
1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
- (a) Most people think that the cat is…
(ii) unintelligent - (b) The cat cares little for anything but mice and…
(iv) milk - (c) One can see the cat as he really is in the…
(iv) evening
2. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
- (a) The cat really has more character than most human beings.
- (b) The cat sometimes watches a mouse-hole for an hour or two.
- (c) All day long the cat allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the people in the house.
3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer:
- (a) The cat is not fond of ease. False
Supporting statement: `…the cat is an unintelligent animal, fond of ease…` - (b) The cat has no athletic skills. False
Supporting statement: `He—or she—is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter.` - (c) The cat takes things very easily. True
Supporting statement: `All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy…`
Unit 2
When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share. He purrs noisily and rubs himself against the legs of the family members. If there is a guest at the table the cat is particularly civil to him, because the guest is likely to have the best of what is offered. Sometimes, instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat, and says, “Poor pussy! Poor pussy!” The cat soon tires of that. He puts up his claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg. “Ow!” says the guest, “The cat stuck his claws into me!” The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it sweet of him? Isn’t he intelligent? He wants you to give him something to eat.”
The guest dares not do what he would like to do—kick the cat out of the window. So, with tears of rage and pain in his eyes, he affects to be very much amused, and sorts out a bit of fish from his plate and hands it down. The cat gingerly receives it, with a look in his eyes that says, “Another time, my friend, you won’t be so slow to understand.” He purrs as he retires to a safe distance from the guest’s boot before eating his food.
Word Nest (Unit 2)
- stoops: bends
- rakes: scratches
- gingerly: carefully, without making any noise
Comprehension exercises (Unit 2)
4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
- (a) The cat rubs himself against the legs of the family members and noisily…
(i) purrs - (b) With tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very much…
(i) amused - (c) The guest hands down the cat a bit of…
(iii) fish
5. Fill in the chart with information from the text:
| (a) the guest calls the cat | Poor pussy! |
| (b) part of the guest’s body that the cat rakes | the leg |
| (c) the thing from which the cat stays at a safe distance | the guest’s boot |
6. Answer the following questions:
- (a) When does the cat make an appearance to get his share of food?
When the family sits down to tea. - (b) Who is the cat particularly civil to?
The cat is particularly civil to a guest at the table. - (c) How does the cat receive the bit of fish handed down by the guest?
The cat gingerly receives the bit of fish.
Unit 3
When the family has finished tea, and gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room. True life now begins for him. He saunters down his own backyard, springs to the top of the fence, drops lightly down to the other side. He trots across and skips to the roof of an empty shed. His movement becomes lithe and pantherlike. He looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly, for he has so many enemies—dogs and small boys with stones.
On top of the shed, the cat arches his back and rakes his claws once or twice through the soft bark of the old roof. He stretches himself a few times to see if every muscle is in full working order. Then, drooping his head nearly to his paws, he sends across a call to his kindred. Before long they come, gliding, graceful shadows. No longer are they the meek creatures who an hour ago were mewing for fish and milk. They are now grim fighters.
Just think how much more he gets out of his life then you do out of yours! And the sports they have, too! As they get older they go in for sport to the suburban backyards. These backyards that are dull to us, are to them hunting grounds where they have more gallant adventure than King Arthur’s knights ever had.
It is always spoken as a reproach against cats that they are more fond of their home than of the people in it. Naturally, the cat doesn’t like to leave his country, the land where all his friends are, and where he knows every landmark. Exiled in a new land, he would have to learn a new geography. So, when the family moves, the cat, if allowed, will stay at the old house and attach himself to the new tenants. He will give them the privilege of boarding him while he enjoys life in his own way.
Word Nest (Unit 3)
- saunters: walks in a slow, relaxed manner
- lithe: graceful
- kindred: near ones
- reproach: blame
Comprehension exercises (Unit 3)
7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
- (a) The cat saunters down his own…
(iii) backyard - (b) The cat skips to the roof of an empty…
(iii) shed - (c) Exiled in a new land, the cat would have to learn new…
(iv) geography
8. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
- (a) When the family gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room.
- (b) The cat droops his head nearly to his paws and sends across a call to his kindred.
- (c) Cats go for sport to the suburban backyards as they get older.
9. Fill in the chart with information from the text:
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| (a) The cat has many enemies. | He looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly. |
| (b) He wants to see if every muscle is in full working order. | The cat stretches himself a few times. |
| (c) The cat knows his friends and every landmark. | He doesn’t like to leave his country. / He will stay at the old house if the family moves. |
Grammar in Use
10. Split the following sentences:
- (a) They postponed their visit as the programme was called off.
The programme was called off. They postponed their visit. - (b) Having fought the battle, he returned victorious.
He fought the battle. He returned victorious. - (c) He poured some water into the glass and drank it.
He poured some water into the glass. He drank it. - (d) He was afraid lest he be proved guilty.
He was afraid. He might be proved guilty.
11. Join the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence:
- (a) He is wise. He is brave.
He is both wise and brave. - (b) My grandfather lives in a big house. The house is by the river.
My grandfather lives in a big house by the river. - (c) I got a new book. I felt happy.
I felt happy to get a new book. - (d) Muskan is sick. She could not attend the function.
As Muskan is sick, she could not attend the function.
Writing Activity
12. Suppose you are the Secretary of a club which has decided to open a library. Write a notice (within 100 words) to the members of your club inviting them to actively join this programme by donating books for the library.
Sample Answer:
ABC YOUTH CLUB
NOTICE
Date: 25.10.2025
Subject: Book Donation for New Library
All members are hereby informed that our club is opening a new library. To make this programme successful, members are requested to donate books (story books, academic, etc.).
Please deposit your donations to the undersigned in the club office by 15th November, 2025, between 6 PM and 8 PM. Your support is highly appreciated.
Sd/-
(Your Name)
Secretary
ABC Youth Club