On the fence
December 18, 2025
‘I’m so tired of sitting on the fence,’ said the black cat.
‘I’m so tired of sitting on the fence,’ said the black cat.
‘Why are you sitting on the fence?’ asked the small girl.
'I’m sitting on the fence so I don't take sides,’ said the black cat.
'I’m sitting on the fence so people on this side of the fence
‘and people on that side of the fence
‘don't get mad at me for thinking different stuff
‘to the stuff they’re thinking.'
(Pause.)
‘Oh,’ said the small girl.
(Pause.)
‘I want to come down off the fence,’ said the black cat.
‘But…
‘But…
‘what if people chase me?
‘What if people hate me?
‘What if no-one sees me?
‘What if no-one needs me?
‘What then?’
(Pause.)
‘Oh, dear,’ said the small girl.
(Pause.)
‘It’s quite lonely, up here on the fence,’ said the black cat.
‘I’m not quite this…
‘and I’m never quite that.
‘I’m not quite here…
‘and I’m never quite there.
‘The truth of it is…
‘I don’t like it, much.’
(Pause.)
‘What if…’ said the small girl.
(Pause.)
‘What if, what?’ asked the black cat.
(Pause.)
‘What if I take down the fence?’ asked the small girl.