Enjoy your supper?

PaulEberhardt on Jan. 20, 2012

Oh boy, I had a real drawing frenzy this week. Now I'm dog-tired but thoroughly happy. As for Christian's idea, he is always welcome. Everyone bringing grey prawns is welcome to my place ;). But if he thinks they're safer…

Last week, NightReflection asked why Gundula doesn't try to use magic to keep tiger in check. This is a very good question. It has to do with the set of rules after which her magic (and universe) works - yes there is one. It dates backas far as 2006, and, even if I say so myself, it is quite elaborate. However, I prefer to keep it something of a mystery, as I think it'd take away a lot of its charm if I went on explaining it. Still, I think I can say this much without making too much of a spoiler out of it:
Gundula knows from experience that all cats, including tigers, have certain magical abilities, even if they are mostly on a passive or subconcious level. This e.g. enables them to sense magic, as hinted at in the last Hallowe'en story,and while I wouldn't say that Tiger is immune to magic, he is by nature extremely good at staying out of its way (There is a certain chance that we get to learn more about that some day).She'd have a better chance bygivng him one of her sleeping potions. However, this poses the practical problem of how to make him swallow it - anyone who has ever tried to give a cat its medicine knows what I'm talking about. More importantly still, what kind of person would Gundula have to be to drug her own pet just out of convenience? She doesn't do that sort of thing. And that's the other reason why magic is out of question; she wouldn't want to hurt him by accident.

On another note, why didn't she just lock the kitchen door? Firstly, because she lost that key long ago ;) , secondly, because she knows Cat Rule Number One (which also applies to the real world as any cat owner knows): If a cat wants to get in somewhere, it will. One of Tiger's size and strength doubly so. If Gundula were to lock the door, the only thing she would achieve would be buying a new lock (or even a new door). This is also why she continues to allow Tiger to get out into the front garden toharasscheck up onthe postman.

Alright! Now, I'm really tired, and I still haven't had any prawns ;)

Have a nice weekend, and thanks for reading and commenting!