"With illustrations by Henrietta Ronner and from photographs."

Release date is 2020-09-10

The soul of a cat -- Joey and Matilda; or, Intellect and emotion -- The torpid and the ill-bred cat -- Vanity of vanities -- Taffy -- The adopted family -- The mysterious Ra -- Mentu -- The conscience of a barn-door fowl -- Confucius -- A paradise of birds -- Epilogue.

Produced by Emmanuel Ackerman and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive)

"The Soul of a Cat and Other Stories" by Margaret Benson is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The book features eloquent tales exploring the lives and inner worlds of animals, particularly cats, with a focus on their relationships with humans and each other. Through characters like the sensitive Persian cat Persis, the intelligent but jealous parrot Joey, and the enigmatic Ra, Benson delves into themes of emotion, instinct, and the connection between different species. The opening of the collection begins with a dedication that hints at the deep bond between humans and the animals who share their lives. The preface discusses common perceptions and prejudices about animal behavior, challenging simplistic views of instinct versus reason. It opens with the story of Persis, a Persian cat facing the complexities of motherhood, shifting from adoration to jealousy as her kittens grow. The narrative vividly illustrates her emotional landscape, detailing her joys, struggles, and ultimate transformation as the dynamics of her relationship with her kittens change, setting a tone that intertwines affection, introspection, and the mystique of animal existence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified