When through some unavoidable oversight a cat was missed, and sounds heard after dark, the loser would lament impotently or console himself by thanking Fate that it was not one of his children who had thus vanished. In truth, much as the owners of cats hated these odd folk, they feared them more and instead of berating them as brutal assassins, merely took care that no cherished pet or mouser should stray toward the remote hovel under the dark trees. But the villagers did not discuss such things with the old man and his wife because of the habitual expression on the withered faces of the two, and because their cottage was so small and so darkly hidden under spreading oaks at the back of a neglected yard. But whatever the reason, this old man and woman took pleasure in trapping and slaying every cat which came near to their hovel and from some of the sounds heard after dark, many villagers fancied that the manner of slaying was exceedingly peculiar. Why they did this I know not save that many hate the voice of the cat in the night, and take it ill that cats should run stealthily about yards and gardens at twilight. In Ulthar, before ever the burgesses forbade the killing of cats, there dwelt an old cotter and his wife who delighted to trap and slay the cats of their neighbours. You can read full text of Lovecraft’s story below the player! Drabblecast #384 – The Cats of Ulthar Then pain erupted from its tail…Īnd now, on with the show. A lightning move and it’s teeth closed about a sinuous neck. The Twabble for this week comes from Great Northern Troll:Ĭat prepared to pounce. Jones and is titled: “The Last Temptation of Ginger.” Twabble:

Our Drabble for this week comes from author Rachael K. The Sphinx is his cousin, and he speaks her language but he is more ancient than the Sphinx, and remembers that which she hath forgotten. He is the kin of the jungle’s lords, and heir to the secrets of hoary and sinister Africa. He is the soul of antique Aegyptus, and bearer of tales from forgotten cities in Meroë and Ophir.

For the cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see. It is said that in Ulthar, which lies beyond the river Skai, no man may kill a cat and this I can verily believe as I gaze upon him who sitteth purring before the fire. The Cats of Ulthar is one of Lovecraft’s shorter pieces. We’re excited to be featuring works by three of our favorite authors, Rachael K. All this month you’ll enjoy some awesome original stories commissioned just for Drabblecast listeners. Lovecraft Month is our yearly celebration of H.P. Lovecraft with a dramatic reading of “The Cats of Ulthar.”

We begin our month-long celebration of H.P.

Hp lovecraft the cats of ulthar