School: Ballinamore (B.) (roll number 2820)

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   “Once upon a time there lived a man named Tom Connor. He was an hard working industrious farmer with a wife and six children.”

   

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   Once upon a time there lived a man named Tom Connor. He was a hard working industrious farmer with a wife and six children. Now, Tom had a cat, a large black animal and so fierce that not one of the children could go near it.
   One day, Tom was going to town to purchase boots for his two eldest "gossoons" and he was measuring their feet in order to get the proper sizes from the shoemaker. Now, in comes the cat and watches this performance very closely. "Begorra" said Tom "the old is watching us as she watches a mouse". "You would imagine she was going to speak to you" said his missus and no sooner were the words out of her mouth than Tom hears the words "Tom Connor" shouted at him in a piercing voice.
   "God bless us, who said that?" said he looking round at the cat. "Tom Connor", said the cat. Yes ma'am said Tom, blessing himself.
   "Tom Connor" she said "I want a pair of boots too". Ah the Lord protect us!" said Tom and is it the devil himself that's in it. "Tom Connor" said the cat again "I want a pair of boots and if I don't get them", said she, looking very fiercely, "I'll tear the eyes out of every one of your children before tomorrow morning".
   "Oh 'begob' then you'll get the boots ma'am never fear" said Tom and he rushed from the house as quickly as ever he could, but instead of going to town he made straight for the police barracks and told his tale to the Sergeant. At first

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Folktales index

   AT2412C: (The Cat Asks for Boots)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Charlie Comerford

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

   Informant

   William Browne

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   40

   Address

   Mohill, Co. Leitrim