The cat that posed as a tiger

N.P.Upadhyaya

An interesting joke that is widely in circulation in Kathmandu runs like this

The last Sydney Olympics had included in its team of events also that of the CAT marathon. Understandably, the cat event were included to make the events an interesting one for the benefit of the spectators right at the Sydney stadium and for those who were to watch the events through the use of their respective Idiot boxes.

Cats of different sizes and dimensions and colors from various countries of the globe took part in the event, which was of its own kind held ever in the world. Prominent among the cats selected for the happening were from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Somalia, among others. Some countries as observers sent a few of the cats. Nepal was no exception. High placed cats in Nepal selected their brethren and managed tickets to and fro for their kith and kins. The Nepal sports council paid the bills.

The final day came when the cats from friendly countries had to exhibit their inner potentials and stamina. Needless to say, the competition was tough.

Before the countdown began on the fateful day, most of the spectators guessed that it would be the cat from the United States or else from the United Kingdom, coming out with flying colors in the said occurrence. They also concluded that the prospects of the cats from other participating countries were simply bleak. The presumption was that developed West has an edge over the rest of the poor countries. The assumption was not that wrong.

On time the whistle blew and the race declared open. But Lo! Contrary to the expectations and the early predictions of the millions of spectators seated in the Stadium and outside, the lean and thin cat from SOMALIA bagged the first prize to the utter dismay of the rest of the competing rivals.

An annoyed and astonished UK cat could not control his temptation mixed with anger and decided to ask the Somalian cat on the mystery of his victory in the marathon event.

The Somalian cat preferred not to answer the awkward question posed to him by the one from the United Kingdom. The UK cat, however, insisted that he disclose the mystery of his surprising victory. The Somalian cat refused to comply. This made the rest of the cats more anxious to know about the real reason behind the Somalian cats’mind boggling victory.

Finally, the Somalian athlete yielded to his friends’ excessive pressure but yet told them that he would comply to their requests only after he gets the Medal. His friends agreed.

The referee or say the umpire awarded the first prize Gold medal to the Somalian athlete with four legs.

Now it was time to lay bare open the secret of his victory by the Somalian cat. The Somalian cat says: (sic)" Look friends! In fact I’m not a cat. I’m a Tiger in essence. However, the continued draught and poverty in my country for years and years made me lean and thin and hence my whole ‘personality’ has been reduced to this shape what you call or have taken me as a cat. It is all due to "no food" for months and months that has made me to look like a cat. Oh! The poverty factor in my country is serious. Next Olympic, most of my brethren will come to attend such marathons and perhaps will bag victory over you all from the rich countries."

The other participants got the point instantly.

Reproduced from our own pages printed a few years ago-ed.

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