Hovhannes Tumanian: The Dog and the Cat

Translation of Hovhannes Tumanian poem
1886

1

Once there lived a pussy cat,

Who was very sleek and fat.

As for his trade,

Warm things he made:

Hats and mittens

For cats and kittens.

One fine day the furrier-cat

Whistling in his workshop sat

When in came a dog

Out of the fog.

2

He made a low bow

And he yelped “Hullo!”

And after he’d yelped

He pulled out a pelt.

Then he said to the cat:

“Have a look at that.

I’ve got no hat

And the winter’s near.

It’s all too bad;

I’ll freeze, I fear.

If it comes out nice,

I’ll pay any price.

What do you say?”

"0.K."

3

“How long will it take?”

“Oh, less than a week.

To oblige a friend,

I’ll be double-quick.

Sewing a hat

Isn’t sewing a coat

Oh no, mere play.

Come on Saturday!”

4

“It won’t be a hat

But a very peach,

The envy, I’ll warrant,

Of every and each.

As for the money,

That can wait.

We’ll talk it over—

Never too late.

Sewing a hat

Isn’t sewing a coat.”

“Good-bye, Cat!”

And off the dog strode.

5

On Saturday morning

The dog turned up,

Shaking and shivering

Like a wretched pup.

“Is it ready, my hat?”

“Oh no,” they said.

“And where’s the Cat?”

“Not at home yet.”

6

Before the doorstep

On a mat

Frozen Mr. Doggy sat,

When down the street

Came Mr. Cat

In a brand-new lambskin hat.

Tile saw the dog and he said:

“Waiting for me, I bet?

You’ll be getting your hat, don’t worry,

But don’t be in such a hurry..

Though it isn’t a coat but a hat,

It takes time, a job like that.

I sprinkled the pelt before tea.

Now I’ve got to cut it, you see?”

7

“Too bad,” said the dog, “too bad,

That you haven’t yet finished the hat.

But maybe you’ll tell me plain

When can I see you again?

I’m coming here not to chat,

But to get my hat, Mr. Cat!”

8

“Come on Wednesday,

But please don’t grumble.”

The furrier-pussy mumbled.

So again the unlucky dog

Came on Wednesday at three o’clock.

“Good day! Now it’s ready, I hope?”

“Good day! Lovely weather! Nope!”

But here their voices

Rose in pitch.

They told each other which is which,

And finished with a noisy tussle

Involving claw and tooth and muscle.

“You're just a thief!”

“And you’re a crook!”

“She's just a bitch,

The wife you took!”

“You pig!”

“You brat!”

“You milksop, you.

“You filthy cat!”

“I spit on you!”

9

Things went from bad to worse

Till it got to court, of course,

Where the Judge and Jury sat

Who promptly ordered:

“Summon

Both the dog and cat!”

The swindler cat

And swindled dog

Both came to court

At ten o’clock.

10

Who judged the case

And where and how

I see no need to say.

But ever since that famous row

The furrier ran away.

He disappeared

And what is worse

Took with him

All his stock of furs.

11

And since the cheeky furrier

Of all our cats was sire

To get their own back on the tribe

Is what all dogs desire.

On seeing one,

An honest pup

Starts growling at the cat

As if he wants to ask again,

“Well, what about my hat?”

The cat just hisses in reply

And spits from shame or fright

Just like the cat whose story I

Made up my mind to write.