The Cat On The Mat

[Johne 2,001]

Quote

“You need to remember this. The cat sat on the mat,” said David. “That’s not a story. But the cat sat on a dog’s mat. Now that’s a story.”

https://crimereads.com/john-le-carre-offered-a-piece-of-advice-to-a-struggling-novelist-shell-never-forget-it/

[William D'Andrea 674]

   This gives me an idea that I might develop into a story.

   I live in a senior citizen village, which is surrounded by a grove of pine trees.  A few feral cats live in the grove, and a few ladies who live here, toss out food for them in the mornings.

   Several months ago, I discovered one of the cats, who has black fur, sleeping on the rubber mat outside my door.

   A Black Cat?!!!! (Bad luck?)  Outside my door?!!!!  (Very Bad Luck?)

   I'm just kidding with that last line.  What really concerned me, was that when I left the house, I might bump into the cat the with the screen door.

   Like I said, I might develop that incident into some kind of story.  

[carolinamtne 4,530]

Excellent advice. It puts the conflict front and center.

[Ky_GirlatHeart 1,303]

What if the cat sat on the dog's mat but didn't realize that the dog was under it?

Hoo, boy..

[Sarah Daffy 4,574]

13 minutes ago, Ky_GirlatHeart said:

What if the cat sat on the dog's mat but didn't realize that the dog was under it?

Hoo, boy..

What if the dog was already on the mat?

[JosiAtara 121]

24 minutes ago, Sarah Daffy said:

What if the dog was already on the mat?

Either a sweet story of friendship, or a big conflict with a very antagonistic enemy.

[Sarah Daffy 4,574]

1 minute ago, JosiAtara said:

Either a sweet story of friendship, or a big conflict with a very antagonistic enemy.

Or if the dog sat on the cat's mat?

[JosiAtara 121]

Just now, Sarah Daffy said:

Or if the dog sat on the cat's mat?

I'd turn that into a comedy. A large dog always trying to insert himself into the cat's life while the cat just tries to be alone.

[Sarah Daffy 4,574]

Just now, JosiAtara said:

A large dog always trying to insert himself into the cat's life while the cat just tries to be alone.

That reminds me of a dog I used to have, a little Maltese Poodle mix. She'd try to control my bigger, younger dog, and snap at him when he got in her space.

[Ky_GirlatHeart 1,303]

@Sarah Daffy Eh, I guess the cat didn't care and decided that it wanted to show who was the true alpha.