I had to go to the market today. Nothing unusual about that, I go to the market nearly every day. Of course I wished to do so without alerting my cat. She can be so particular, and if she saw I was headed to the market there would be something she wanted. Something difficult to get and very possibly exotic, rare, or expensive. So I bided my time and waited till she was asleep, her morning activity period having thankfully ended with little further damage to what was left of my furniture.

I hoped to spend my time at the market choosing pies and meats for my supper that night. I crept towards the door, shopping bag in hand, as quietly as I could. But of course today was not to be the day. She was at the front door before I was, silently, and mysteriously.

"Going Out?" she said, demurely washing her paw. I was doomed, once again outwitted by my cat, I could only hang my head in shame. She didn't even bother to wait for me to answer her question, she knew already. "I'd like a fish" she said. If she wasn't such a good cat this would of course be exasperating. "A halibut, to be precise" she concluded. Mincing words was not her style.

Even in defeat, I was fortunate. It could have been much worse. On previous occasions I had spent hours searching for a fish of just a particular color or shape or smell. I rushed out the door, being careful not to let her follow me. The last thing I needed was my cat going with me to the market, nothing would satisfy her and it would take all day to do a simple bit of shopping.

I hurried down the street, greeting my friends and neighbors when I passed. It was a chilly drizzly day and I was eager to get my shopping done and return to my snug home. As I approached the market I saw many of the merchants smiling and nodding to each other. My cat was well known, her exotic tastes, her whims, and especially her inability to budget properly.

I went through the market quickly. I was sure that a halibut would be easy to find.. The fish ships were in and everywhere I could see the fine catch of the sea displayed for all to see and admire (and purchase.) But as I passed stall after stall the merchant's smiles quickly turned to frowns. One after another they shook their head sadly when I inquired about halibut. With mounting frustration I forged onwards. It was raining now.

My own expression hardened as the end of the market drew near. Had some great calamity overtaken the halibut fleet? Why wasn't I informed? I mulled over the unpleasant possibilities should no halibut be available. Returning without the specified fish would be unthinkable, I would be punished for days, weeks even. Could I take the train to the next town with its larger market? Perhaps someone could be paid to go out and catch a halibut? I shuddered to think what that would cost.

The last stall came into view. I gasped, for there was a halibut. A beautiful halibut. A halibut fit for a queen, and possibly even my cat. The merchant of course was almost weeping with joy. News of my predicament had preceded me, he knew he could ask almost any price for his fine fish. I paid him his princely sum, I knew better than to bargain, and so did he. I just hoped he would remember to invite me to the party. The fish was wrapped carefully and I proceeded on my way. There were days when I think that my cat is responsible for a large portion of the local economy, this was one of those days.

I grabbed some bread and cheese and headed homeward, my mission accomplished. I had my supper and a fine handsome halibut for my cat. The sun even came out from behind the clouds as I trudged back up the hill to my house. I knew there was a good chance she wouldn't like the fish, but that wasn't important. By her rules, I had justified my continued existence another day. I could never win of course, but I meant to avoid losing whenever possible.

She of course sniffed at the fish and utterly scorned it. Nonplussed, I prepared a fine meal of halibut and thoroughly enjoyed my supper. The rain came back with a vengeance and my cat stared at it through the cat door in dismay. It had been a good day after all. It really was a fine fish.