Friday, November 11, 2011

Worm

Stygia: I am going to tell you a secret today, although I don't want it to be a secret any longer. I am going to tell you my True Name.

When Ms. C and Mr. R rescued me from the SPCA, there was a little card on my cage that said my name was "Bear." Ms. C says I probably got this name when I was a kitten, because I am black and you know how kittens look before their ears really develop, they have little bear-ears. But I never responded to this name, so they called me Stygia.

Mr. R invented the name Stygia, from the word "stygian" which refers to the way the river Styx looks -- black as night. This is the name on my medical records and what my people often call me. It is my given name, but it is still not my True Name.

One day a few weeks ago, Ms. C called to me (as a joke, she thought), and said, "Come here, little worm!" How did she know? I thought. I ran to her. She just called me by my True Name! She thought it was a fluke, so she moved away and said it again: "Come here, Worm!"

This was wonderful! She was calling me by the name I prefer, and so I ran over to her again.

She called Mr. R over to witness this because she just could not believe it, and wanted him to believe it. "Here, Worm!" he called to me. With a happy meow, I ran to him.

So now you know the story of how my people discovered my True Name. I prefer to be called Worm, and I respond to it by running to my people when they use it. I am training them well, and we are all happier! Ms. C thought I would never learn my name, but she was wrong; they were just using the wrong one.

PS. Our Mum thought about doing a Veteran's Day post, but so many of you have done such wonderful tributes already. We will tell you what we did today -- our Mr. R is a veteran, and we respectfully let him sleep in today without disturbing him at all! It is the best we cats could do.

11 comments:

Fuzzy Tales said...

The mom's laughing her fool head off now. Are you sure you wouldn't like to pick another True Name? :-)

Nicki has been called other names, some of which are not fit for print. Or blog text. But we both respond to "Nicki" and "Derry," though sometimes we'll come when the other is being called. Ha.

Katnip Lounge said...

Well. Miss Worm, good for you. As we Cats know, "worm" in Catese means "the best kitty in the house".
Which you clearly are!

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

We liked your 'name' story...though Teri thinks worms are kinda icky, you are NOT!

And very thoughtful and kind way to honor your 'veteran' but letting him sleep in!

A few Good Cats said...

Your human has to be given credit for figuring out and learning to use your True Name. How many other cats with lesser humans wind up going through life being referred to by an incorrect name?

Cat Street Boyz said...

Are you kiddin'..........a beautiful cat like you, wants to be called WORM!!! Oh......we get it, you wormed your way into your humans hearts........well then, ....maybe it does fit=^Y^=

The Island Cats said...

Stygia, we LOVE your True Name!! How many cats have been called Worm?? Not many, we bet!!

Mickey's Musings said...

Congrats to your Mom for getting your true name!!!!!! It must be the way you "worm " your way into her heart ;) heehee
We also think you must be " the best cat in the house" heehee.
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Tiger,Treasure and JJ

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Love yer name an the reasons behind it...

Daisy said...

Oh Stygia...I mean Worm... you crack me up!

Cat with a Garden said...

Who would have guessed?! That's very helpful of you to tell your humans your true name, Sty.. - eh - Worm.

A Tonl said...

MOL! We not sure we wants Mommy to know our true names - though Faraday's kinda tired of being called Squeakers *sigh*.

We think you very brave to let them know they discovered it, too!