"My" adaptation of the story "Tobermory" by Saki

TOBERMORY

I was little anxious when I heard Mrs Blemley’s is giving another of her dinner parties this evening. I am not that fond of dinner parties though I like the food, but mostly because of my coyness and of my disastrous dressing sense. But there was just one thing that instigated me to go to the party.
The air was pleasantly warm when I entered the garden which was ornately decorated with flowers and small bug lights. The guests were sitting around those small round tables which were arranged beautifully near the pool. But my eyes sought only one and there she stood... like a luminous white flower glowing in the dark with white fur, her bright orange eyes and a matching flower on her collar ...ah! the only colourful thing among the mass of blacks and greys.
I made my way towards her rather than my host and hostess, welcoming guests. I assembled my guts and walked towards her; tonight I have to talk to her, it’s been too long my feelings are congealed inside me. As I reached her I opened my mouth to talk to her, but instead with a swirl she walked away from me as if I did not exist. Sigh! She always taunts me this way. I watched her curl up to her mistress’s lap and watched me beadily while her fur is being constantly ruffled by the ladies.
Yes people I am a cat and a black cat as that with all the superstitions and other beliefs attached and yea... I am Tobermory by the way, and the beautiful white cat (sigh! ) is Lily Mrs Jenkins’ cat. I was desperate to get her attention but all she bestows upon me is ignorance. What do I do to be her only number one muse? Then the answer came to be in the form of Mr Appin an old eccentric scientist who wants to achieve extraordinary things...like teaching a cat to talk in human language and yes! I am his first pupil. I must say he is good, but no one believes him as I was reluctant to share my knowledge with the world, so he was dejected and dismissed. But now the situation is different if I have to capture Lily’s attention. I have to show my talents.
He was sitting alone (predictably) on a table with a glass of whisky,
“Mr Appin” I gently called, he jerked his head towards my direction.
“Oh it’s you Tobermory, what do you want from me now?” his voice was angry then burst out “wasn’t it enough for you to humiliate me in front of the world”
“Relax Mr Appin , I know I had done great injustice to you, so I have come to make amends, you see”

“Amends! What do you mean?”
“I mean I will demonstrate my speaking skills in front of everyone, now”.
He was surprised and half rose from his chair “you will?”
“aa yes”
“Come on now.” He picked me up (that was degrading) “I can walk you know”
“Oh sorry” he grinned, he seemed excited.
He went towards the large table loaded with drinks and climbed on it and shouted
“All my good people, good evening to you all. Today I present you the opportunity of witnessing something rare and wonderful” (I hope he doesn’t overstate himself) “a spectacle never seen, I present you the talking cat Tobermory”
There was a flutter of response and exasperated looks, till I joined Mr Appin on the table and greeted, “Hello everyone”.
There was shocked silence, everyone gaping at me, which was rather uncomfortable, then I saw her eyes on me, and my confidence renewed.
“I know it’s hard for you to believe a cat can talk but here I am, and I can talk all you want to hear in your language -starting with Mr and Mrs Blemley, thank you for keeping me in your house and anyone who wants to talk to me, you have the whole night ahead ” I ended my little speech.
And now suddenly I and Mr Appin was core of the party with the fancy food offered to us and of course the lovely ladies cuddling me and having their photos taken with me...it was really grand but the best part was when Lily walked up to me with her seductive smile “so where were you hiding your talents?” she asked me alluringly.
“Waiting for the right moment for them to surface” I replied, dazed.
“Well don’t hide anymore talents, I would like to see all of them. Meet me tomorrow by the park” with that she gave me one of her alluring smile and walked away with Mrs Jenkins.
Sigh! That was the best party ever.

YASHOMANA CHOUDHURY