The last few days have been quite cold. It smells like snow since yesterday, but there has not yet been any in Motovun. Of course, it may well come any day now. It is thus hardly a surprise that the cats have all but vanished from the streets. Are they hiding in the ruins strewn about town? Some are, but most have ingratiated themselves into people’s homes. How? No-one can really tell. Not exactly. One by one, the cats have meowed and purred and rubbed and scratched their way in. As well as into the warmest spots that can be found indoors. The first to come in were the females. One by one, their many hidden kittens followed them in. The males sought shelter last. They are least ingratiating among the street cats, anyhow. Whenever I visit my friends about town, they silently spread their arms and raise their eyebrows at the growing number of cats surrounding them. How could you let them freeze? They are perfectly aware of the fact that they are but innocent victims of feline manipulation.