It is said that in Ulthar which lies beyond the river Skai no man may kill a cat and this I can verily believe as gaze upon him who sitteth purring before fire. For cat cryptic close to strange things men cannot see. He soul of antique Aegyptus bearer tales from forgotten cities Meroe Ophir. kin jungle’s lords heir secrets hoary sinister Africa. The Sphinx his cousin he speaks her language but more ancient than Sphinx remembers she hath forgotten. In ever burgesses forbade killing cats there dwelt an old cotter wife delighted trap slay cats their neighbors. Why they did know not save many hate voice night take it ill should run stealthily about yards gardens at twilight. But whatever reason woman took pleasure trapping slaying every came near hovel some sounds heard after dark villagers fancied manner was exceedingly peculiar. not discuss such with wife because habitual expression on withered faces two cottage so small darkly hidden under spreading oaks back neglected yard. truth much owners hated these odd folk feared them more instead berating brutal assassins merely care cherished pet or mouser stray toward remote hovel dark trees. When through unavoidable oversight missed loser would lament impotently console himself by thanking Fate one children had thus vanished. people Ulthar were simple knew whence all first came. One day caravan wanderers South entered narrow cobbled streets Ulthar. Dark were unlike other roving folk passed village twice year. market-place told fortunes for silver bought gay beads merchants. What land none could tell seen given prayers painted sides wagons figures human bodies heads hawks rams lions. And leader wore headdress two horns curious disk betwixt horns. There singular little boy father mother only tiny black kitten cherish. plague been kind him yet left furry thing mitigate sorrow when very young find great relief lively antics kitten. So whom called Menes smiled often wept sat playing graceful steps oddly wagon. On third morning wanderers’ stay kitten sobbed aloud certain wife night. sobbing gave place meditation finally prayer. stretched out arms sun prayed tongue villager understand though indeed try hard understand since attention mostly taken up sky shapes clouds assuming. peculiar uttered petition seemed form overhead shadowy nebulous exotic things hybrid creatures crowned horn-flanked disks. Nature full illusions impress imaginative. That night never again. householders troubled noticed be found. From each hearth familiar vanished large small black grey striped yellow white. Old Kranon burgomaster swore away revenge Menes’ cursed boy. Nith lean notary declared likely persons suspect hatred notorious increasingly bold. Still durst complain couple even Atal innkeeper’s son vowed twilight accursed yard trees pacing slowly solemnly circle around cottage abreast if performance unheard-of rite beasts. how boy evil pair charmed death preferred chide till met outside repellent went sleep vain anger awakened dawn—behold! accustomed hearth! Large white missing. Very sleek fat appear sonorous content. citizens talked another affair marveled little. Kranon again insisted them return alive wife. agreed thing: refusal eat portions meat drink saucers milk curious. whole days sleek lazy touch food doze fire sun. fully week lights appearing dusk windows Then Nith remarked away. burgomaster decided overcome fears call strangely silent dwelling matter duty doing careful Shang blacksmith Thul cutter stone witnesses. broken down frail door found this: cleanly picked skeletons earthen floor number beetles crawling shadowy corners. subsequently talk among Zath coroner disputed length notary overwhelmed questions. Even closely questioned sweetmeat reward. They wanderers kitten prayer during prayer doings left what later trees end remarkable law traders Hatheg discussed travelers Nir namely cat.