Ethel Beadell

A Black Cat Tale Ethel Beadell

Publisher Marketing: Everyone knows black cats can fly on Halloween. But where they go and what they do is a mystery. Now all is revealed in "Tarzan A Black Cat Tale," a book for all cat lovers ages five to ninety-five. When Mom brought me home (I called her Mom because that's what the kids Bruce and Katie aged ten and twelve call her), Mom's friend Mrs. Mene gasped, "An alley cat! Where ever did you pick up that ragbag?" Mom's face stiffened a little but she answered gently, "There is no such thing as an alley cat. If a cat's in an alley, a human being put it there." Mrs. Mene sniffed but said no more. She didn't notice me glaring at her. I vowed to myself to remember her insults and get revenge no matter how long it took. The family decided to name me Tarzan, not only because my coat is black as tar but, to raise my ego, they named me after the hero in Edgar Rice Burrowghts' story, Tarzan of the Apes. As if my ego needed raising! Folks don't know black cats can do other things other cats and pets can't do. Even Titi, my companion, doesn't believe me when I tell her what I do on Halloween. Halloween is my night because that is the night of the black cat. People have seen pictures of us silhouetted against the moon ever since they were children but nobody knows where we go or what we do...