Teil kuuldud kassi-assortii
ja sestap arvan nüüd ma nii:
et tõlgist nüüdsest loobute,
sest teate kassi loomust te

Ei eksi me, kui arvame,
et kass on meie sarnane
Me mäng ja töö käis teie seas
ja teil on meie nimed peas,
me kombed ja me mängumaa,
ent kuidas kohtled kassi sa?

Ma meenutan siis vaiksel moel,
et kass ei ole loomult koer
Ma meenutan siis vaiksel moel,
et kass ei ole loomult koer

Ei kass su jutust välja tee,
kui see ei meeldi temale
Ma vestlusest küll lugu pean,
kuid viisakuse piire tean

Kuid hoiatan sind selle eest,
et sa ei teeskleks omameest
Müts peast! Nüüd kraaps tee viisakas
ja lausu talle siis: "Oo, kass!"

Oo, kass!

Et kass sind sõbraks siiralt peaks,
üht-teist võiks teha tema heaks -
siis talle tuua oleks aus
üks lugupidav koorekauss
ja muidugi sa tuua võid
veel kaaviari, pirukaid
On head ka laanepüüd, forell,
sest kassil maitsmismeel on nii hell

Saad aegamööda omaks sa -
su hüüdu kuulab ta

On kassil esmatarbeks see,
et teda võetaks arvesse
Kas olgu nii või olgu naa -
saad kassi sõbraks nii vaid sa

You've heard the assortee of cats
and because of that, I now think this:
that you'll decline a translator
because you know the nature of a cat

We aren't mistaken, when we think
that a cat is similar to us
Our play and work went on along you
and you have our names memorized,
our habits and our playground,
but how do you treat a cat?

I'll remind in a quiet way,
that a cat is not a dog by nature
I'll remind in a quiet way,
that a cat is not a dog by nature

The cat won't acknowledge your talking,
if he doesn't like it
I respect the conversation,
but know the limits of politeness

But I warn you of this,
that you won't pretend to be a friend
Hat off your head! Now bow politely
and tell him this: "O, cat!"

O, cat!

For a cat to sincerely consider you a friend,
you could do a few things for him -
it would be fair to bring him
one respectful bowl of cream
and of course you can bring
more caviar, pie
Good is also grouse, trout,
because a cat's sense of taste is so tender

You will, over time, become his -
he will listen to your call

A cat's priority is
that he is taken into account
Whether it is this or it is that -
only by this can you become a cat's friend

You've heard of several kinds of cat,
And my opinion now is that
You should need no interpreter
To understand our character.

You've learned enough to take the view
That cats are very much like you.
You've seen us both at work and games,
And learnt about our proper names,
Our habits, and our habitat:
But how would you address a cat?

So first, your memory I'll jog,
And say: a cat is not a dog.
So first, your memory I'll jog,
And say: a cat is not a dog.

With cats, some say, one rule is true:
Don't speak till you are spoken to.
Myself, I do not hold with that.
I say, you should address a cat.

But always keep in mind that he
Resents familiarity.
You bow, and taking off your hat,
Address him in this form: O Cat!

O Cat!

Before a cat will condescend
To treat you as a trusted friend,
Some little token of esteem, 
Is needed, like a dish of cream;
And you might now and then supply
Some caviare, or Strassburg pie,
Some potted grouse, or salmon paste:
He's sure to have his personal taste.

And so in time you'll reach your aim,
And call him by his name.

A cat's entitled to expect
These evidences of respect.
So this is this, and that is that:
And there's how you address a cat