Cats Quote by Henry N. Beard
““ Abyssinias "I met a traveler from an antique land Who said: A huge four-footed limestone form Sits in the desert, sinking in the sand. Its whiskered face, though marred by wind and storm, Still flaunts the dainty ears, the collar band And feline traits the sculptor well portrayed: The bearing of a born aristocrat, The stubborn will no mortal can dissuade. And on its base, in long-dead alphabets, These words are set: "Reward for missing cat! His name is Abyssinias, pet of pets; I, Ozymandias, will a fortune pay For his return. he heard me speak of vets -- O foolish King! And so he ran away.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unknown, modern literary composition
A whimsical tale of a mythical cat statue that promises a reward for its return, mixing ancient motifs with absurd humor.
In simple terms: A funny story about a cat statue and a promised reward.
Key Takeaway
Enjoy the absurdity, but don’t expect real treasure.
Themes
humor
myth
absurdity
reward
art
Mood
playful
lighthearted
ironic
Type
anecdotal
satirical
fictional
When to use this quote
- museum visits
- collecting curiosities
- reading poetry
- playing games
- storytelling
Key Concepts
mythic symbolism
satire
literary allusion
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you do if you found a mysterious statue?
- Do you enjoy riddles that lead nowhere?
A Different Perspective
The reward is likely fictional, making the quest pointless.
![“[Poetry] strips the veil of familiarity from the world, and lays bear the naked and sleeping beauty which is the spirit of its forms.” quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a5/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_beauty_poetry-strips-the-veil-of-familiarity-fr_3206301.jpg)
![“Let us roam then, you and I, When the evening is splayed out across the sky [...] Paths that follow like a nagging accusation Of a minor violation To lead you to the ultimate reproof ... Oh, do not say, 'Bad kitty!' Let us go and prowl the city. In the rooms the cats run to and fro Auditioning for…” quote by Henry N. Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ead/henry-n-beard-30905_broadway-show_let-us-roam-then-you-and-i-when-the-even_215931.jpg)
