Rules are invented by people for people. They have absolutely nothing to do with cats. Khun Maew reigns over the territory of Wat Arun across the river from Tha Tien, strolling the lawns trimmed specially for her and roped off with red ribbon – so that no humanoids wander in.
Khun Maew is not alone. Besides the other feline overlords of Wat Arun, she keeps company with the local residents. Her best friend is Khun Shishi, also known as the foo dog. Though he is no dog at all, of course, but a Chinese guardian lion. He arrived here in the early 19th century – by the popular account as ship’s ballast, by another as a royal commission from a Chinese workshop. In the company of this stone Chinese gentleman.
She is also on friendly terms with the terracotta rooster, who has been sunbathing for well over a century.
The resident white lotus is likewise embraced by her attention. And not hers alone – bees flock daily to its fragrance.
Khun Myna of the starling family can hardly be called a friend of Khun Maew. Rather – they are rivals for the emerald lawn.
In the evenings, when the crowd of pesky visitors is expelled from the temple, Khun Maew makes the rounds of her domain and often reclines on the warm stone tiers of the prang, among the thewada (devas) and the yak (demons).
Little does she know that the prang is a model of Mount Meru, and the tiers are read from bottom to top as ascending realms. Demons at the lowest tier, monkeys above them, then devas, with Indra on the three-headed Erawan in the niches above and the trident of Shiva at the summit. She is outside the hierarchy – she basks, soaking up the warmth of the departing day.
Khun Maew enjoys the special favor of the green giant Thotsakan and is under his protection.
So be polite and courteous with her.
