In his book, Incredible Cats, author David Green mentions a story told to him by an old sailor in Malta. It’s an incredible story about a cat and his devotion to his deceased human friend.
The story involved a drunken tyrant of a captain that despised his German second mate, Hansen. Although Hansen never said much, he was a hard working sailor. While on the ship, Hansen befriended a scruffy cat named Rhaj. Afterward, Hansen and Rhaj soon became best friends. Hansen fed Rhaj and allowed the mangy critter to sleep with him in his bunk. Hansen also spent hours talking to Rhaj as if he were human.
Rhaj showed his affection for Hansen by following him around like a little puppy whenever he made the ships rounds. One night while making his rounds, Hansen encountered a drunken captain abusing another crew member. Angered by the captain, Hansen intervened. The drunken captain viciously struck Hansen, which caused him to fall and die from head injuries.
The evening after Hansen’s death, Rhaj came to the bridge and stood in the same spot where his deceased friend used to stand watch. The mangy cat followed the same path that Hansen did when making his evening rounds. The superstitious crew believed that Rhaj continued to follow Hansen's ghost around the ship. The rumors rattled the captain, who then demanded Rhaj be captured and thrown into the sea.
Rhaj vanished for two days before someone found him lying on the captain’s face. After passing out from a night of drinking, Rhaj had suffocated the murderous taskmaster. The crew was mystified. The captain had locked his door from the inside. So how did Rhaj get inside the cabin? Other than the captain, only Hansen had an extra key, but he had died.
So how did Rhaj get in?
The old sailor said no crew members had an explanation. Is it possible for an animal to hold a grudge or seek revenge? Of course not.
Rhaj was a cat. He couldn't possibly have any concept of revenge.
The story involved a drunken tyrant of a captain that despised his German second mate, Hansen. Although Hansen never said much, he was a hard working sailor. While on the ship, Hansen befriended a scruffy cat named Rhaj. Afterward, Hansen and Rhaj soon became best friends. Hansen fed Rhaj and allowed the mangy critter to sleep with him in his bunk. Hansen also spent hours talking to Rhaj as if he were human.
Rhaj showed his affection for Hansen by following him around like a little puppy whenever he made the ships rounds. One night while making his rounds, Hansen encountered a drunken captain abusing another crew member. Angered by the captain, Hansen intervened. The drunken captain viciously struck Hansen, which caused him to fall and die from head injuries.
The evening after Hansen’s death, Rhaj came to the bridge and stood in the same spot where his deceased friend used to stand watch. The mangy cat followed the same path that Hansen did when making his evening rounds. The superstitious crew believed that Rhaj continued to follow Hansen's ghost around the ship. The rumors rattled the captain, who then demanded Rhaj be captured and thrown into the sea.
Rhaj vanished for two days before someone found him lying on the captain’s face. After passing out from a night of drinking, Rhaj had suffocated the murderous taskmaster. The crew was mystified. The captain had locked his door from the inside. So how did Rhaj get inside the cabin? Other than the captain, only Hansen had an extra key, but he had died.
So how did Rhaj get in?
The old sailor said no crew members had an explanation. Is it possible for an animal to hold a grudge or seek revenge? Of course not.
Rhaj was a cat. He couldn't possibly have any concept of revenge.
No comments:
Post a Comment