Blanca and the old couple

Title

Creator

Marquez, Constancia L.

Language

English

Year

1935

Subject

Cats--Short story--Philippines.

Cats--Juvenile literatures.

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

A tragic short story about the pet cat named Blanca and her beloved pet owners who are both in their old age.

Fulltext

Februa1·11 1!1.'l!i THE YOUNG CITIZEN AND 111{ OLD(OUPL{ 'By Constancia L. Marquez BLANCA was the name of the cat living next door. Hei· fur was as white as the lace on Sister's ch-ess. Her eyes were as blue as the sky. She lived with an old couple whom the old children in the neighborhood called Lolo Juan and Lola Maria. Lola Mal'ia had found Blanca in the street one chilly morning seven years ago. She brought the sick cat to her house and gave her warm milk. She also placed her before the fire to warm he1· shivering body. Since then, Blanca remained faithful to the aged couple. She caught mice. She drove away bad cats who wanted to steal food from the cupboard. The old woman was gentle and kind, but her husband was cruel and silly. He came home late in the evenings and kicked everything that stood on his way. Once he held Blanca by the neck and kicked her out of the door. Lola Maria did not say anything. She simply went out and lifted -+-,, Blanca in her arms and carried her into . ~ the house. From this day Blanca was ~careful with Lolo Juan. She would not go j near him any mo1·e. She would not rub her fur against his trousers as she used to do before. q,.; One stormy night Lola Maria was darning her husband's socks. She heard ~ "~ratches at the door. She went to the oor and opened it. Blanca came in mewing like a child. Lola Maria knew that something was wrong. She thought that her pet was hung1·y. So she went to the cupboard to get her some food. But Blanca tugged at her skirt and pulled her toward the door. The old woman followed. When she opened the door, whom did you think she saw lying in the middle of the street? It was Lolo Juan. He was . stone drunk and dead. Perhaps he had been walking carelessly along the street. An automobile passed by and ran over him. Lo 1 o Juan's death made the good old woman feel lonely. Although he had been a bad man, she loved him still. She remembered the days when both of them were young and happy. One day Lola Maria fell sick. She co u 1 d not leave her bed any mo1·e. Blanca was always at he1· bedside. She snuggled close to the old woman to give he1· wai·mth, but in vain. Lola Maria died one late afternoon whell' the birds were going to their cozy nests to sleep. All the world was silent. Even Blanca lay quietly on a chair, her face resting on her paws. When Lola Maria's remains were being carried to the cemetery, the people saw an old white cat walking slowly behind the hearse.

Date Issued

I(1) February, 1935

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