I thought the English translation might snag more interest over the original Arabic: hilm il-’utaat kullu firaan.
In the pre-modern Middle East region cats maintained a high standing, higher than dogs anyway. At times dogs were hung or buried with the corpses of rebels and dissidents as an expression of contempt. No sharing living spaces with the religiously observant either. Bad dog! This prejudice has survived and owning one is still frowned upon.
Back to cats, though not yet to those dreaming of mice: in 13th century Cairo Mamluk sultan al-Zahir Baybars kept a garden for pampering purring pets. Even into the 1830′s the British orientalist E.W. Lane observed that people still brought baskets of tasty treats for the cats in the garden of the High Court, fulfilling obligations of the sultan’s endowment for his feline friends.
Muslim scholars wrote odes in honor of the protectors of their precious books from critters…such as mice. There are thousands of mystical Sufi stories including cats. They were famous in Islamic art; Muslim calligraphers used brushes made of the fur of long-haired cats – some bred just for this purpose.
Cats! Cats! Cats! But what does the idiom mean, you say, as I lead you astray? Exactly what I’ve been telling you: to have a one track mind!
Great illo, Julie. Your facts are fascinating!
Fancy and fascinating feline facts for fun! Fanks!
Great picture! Cool info! I like the idiom!
Me too; I hope it gives others some PB ideas too!
I like the dog fanning the cat. Sort of backwards from the western hierarchy of cats and dogs. Fascinating facts. Purrrfectly delightful.
Actually there have been many times in Western history where the dog wasn’t ‘cherished’ either! Thanks for stopping by.
The Egyptians loved cats too. We’ve been reading lots of mummy books of late and have been seeing a lot of mummified cats.
I thought of just adding some pics of ancient cat sculpture/art, but the choices were overwhelming!
Really nice, Julie.
That’s me lounging for 10 minutes, after I’ve sold a million books. I’m dreaming of the sequel to my mouse story. He – he.
Lounge now, you may not have time in the spotlight later!
Oh, I LOVE the style and lines of this one, the fainting couch, the delightful little mice — and the idiom is fun, too!
Cleopurrtra!
Ahhhh, the life of an asian aristocat! Wouldn’t it be loverly? As always Julie, I love your style. The subject was a great choice. Loved the great facts, too. Great job!
Do I hear a fan of My Fair Lady in this comment, hmm? Thanks Pam!
This is so a picture book in the making… !
Concurrr!
Yes! Good one, and definitely the genesis of a picture book …
Thanks for stopping by
Oh…this is cute, Julie. Love the speech/dream bubble and the dog looking on. So creative!!!
Thanks Penny, might need to write a story from the dog’s POV!