Reading Notes: The Water-Babe and The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog

The Water-Babe, from the Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919), is a story of Moses going to trial at the mere age of three. In the story Bilam, one of the counselors and chief magician to the King Pharaoh, grows very worried about the young Moses. He continually warns the Pharaoh that "this is not play" and that "this child is of the Hebrews - he will rebel against thee and seek to destroy your rule". Bilam predicts the future yet the Pharaoh lets the boy go to trial where another member of the counsel uses his magical staff to manipulate the boy into picking up the coals leading to the Pharaoh to think he is a foolish babe. Looking back Bilam should have used some of his powers to sway the boy into picking the jewelry leading to instant death.

In The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog, from the Jewish Fair Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919), I am going to focus of the character of the dog. It is just turning into winter and the dog and cat agree to part ways and never cross paths while looking for food and shelter. The cat goes to the house of Adam and grows fat. The dog however does not have an easy journey like the cats. He grows tired and weak for he is not a good hunter. He seeks shelter and food from other animals and in return will help them. He either hurts them more than he helps or gets hurt himself. This makes him very sad. Makes him feels that he is worthless and of no use to anyone. Once he finally finds a place that he is truly appreciated at, the cat is there and fights with him, telling him that he has broken the oath and needs to leave. This saddens him even more because he found a place where he is helpful and loved and yet an old friend does not want him there. The story could be changed by changing the cat and dog to different mammals making the story completely different yet keep the same plot.

Cat Attacking Dog Flickr