Many, many short stories use the trappings of folktale. Very few manage the cadences without the cliches, originality rather than predictability. Kate Atkinson’s take has overtones of Beauty and the Beast and the Princess and the Frog, and is witty and verbally delightful. A stray tomcat gradually takes over its rescuer’s life, hunting larger and more bizarre prey as it grows to the size of a tiger.

“A secret cache of dodos, the odd phoenix or two, not to mention the unfortunate capture of the (surprisingly tiny) hawk-headed sun god Ra…”

Until, terrified he will eat her next, she wishes him away – but he leaves an unexpected parting gift.

Published in Not the End of the World, Doubleday, 2002