The Cat

Reading the classic fairy tale
The Light Princess to my sons,
We came across the witch
In a subterranean chamber,
With a magical snake
And her black cat.

“I like that cat,” said Abraham.

After a week, the witch
And snake depart,
With the black cat.

“I like that cat,” said Abraham.

What is it about this cat
This nameless, flat, clichéd character,
That captures his imagination?

Is it the very cliché?
The faithfulness of a creature
To accompany even the worst mistress?
The randomness of the author’s detail,
As the cat gets those two vague mentions
And not a bit more?

And why would he feel the need to comment
Every time?

A minor mystery in our literary life.