An anonymous Irish monk of the 9th century wrote some verses about his cat into his copybook. He begins by setting the scene: he and his cat, Pangur Bán, comfortably at home alone, with the monk intent on his books, and the cat occupied with hunting: indeed they are both hunting, the cat for mice, and he for meaning.

The monk continues his verses about Pangur Bán, comparing his cat’s hunting skills with his own occupation as an interpreter of texts. He likens the cat’s victory laps on catching a mouse to his own pleasure at solving some problem of interpretation, and expresses his appreciation for a companion who allows him to get on with his work.

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