Chapter 7 Summary

Old Deuteronomy is an extremely old cat. He has gone through all nine of his lives, one right after the other. He has been talked about in poems and books since before even Queen Victoria walked the earth. He has had a number of wives (anywhere between nine and ninety-nine), although the true number is not known. Even the oldest inhabitants cannot believe that Old Deuteronomy is still alive.

While Old Deuteronomy takes his nap on market day in the High Street, the entire town works around him so as not to disturb his slumber. The sheep and cattle are turned away, and the cars drive on the sidewalks instead of the street. The entire village puts up a "road closed" sign to make sure that nothing will bother Old Deuteronomy.

When lunch is almost over, you can find Old Deuteronomy on the...