# Kreativity for Kats explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Fritz Leiber.

## What happens

Gummitch, a young cat, contemplates the nature of water mirrors and spirit worlds, but is depressed by his inability to become human. He is confined indoors by two aggressive toms, Scarface and the Mad Eunuch, and spends his time brooding. After a moment of inspiration involving water, light, and movement, he begins repeatedly upsetting his water bowl, leading to the 'Great Spilled Water Mystery' that puzzles his human family.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Illusion

Gummitch's disillusionment with his cat identity and his fascination with mirror worlds and spirit doubles explore the boundary between self and illusion.

### Conformity and Rebellion

Gummitch's rejection of the water provided by his humans and his repeated upsetting of the bowl constitute a quiet rebellion against domestic expectations.

## Character check-ins

### Gummitch

The protagonist cat, depressed and creatively frustrated, ponders water mirrors and deliberately upsets his water bowl.

### Catherine

Called Kitty-Come-Here, she observes Gummitch's behavior, worries about his water intake, and tries to solve the spilled water mystery.

### Old Horsemeat

The human male of the household, he makes witty remarks about Gummitch's behavior and the water mystery.

## Key lines

> Gummitch peered thoughtfully at the molten silver image of the sun in his little bowl of water on the floor inside the kitchen window.

Gummitch looked carefully at the sun's reflection shimmering in his water bowl.

_Opening scene establishing Gummitch's contemplative mood._

> He knew from experience that it would make dark ghost suns swim in front of his eyes for a few moments, and that was mildly interesting.

He knew that staring at the reflection would temporarily leave afterimages, which he found somewhat amusing.

_Shows Gummitch's familiarity with optical effects._

> Gummitch had early discovered that water mirrors are very different from most glass mirrors.

Gummitch had learned that reflections in water behave differently than those in ordinary mirrors.

_Introduces the theme of water mirror metaphysics._

> The black cloud of disillusionment at realizing he could only be a cat had lightened somewhat, but he was still feeling dull and unfulfilled.

His disappointment at being just a cat had faded a bit, but he remained listless and unsatisfied.

_Describes Gummitch's existential depression._

> Such were the beginnings of the Great Spilled Water Mystery that preoccupied the human members of the Gummitch household for weeks.

This was the start of the ongoing puzzle of the spilled water that puzzled the family for weeks.

_Summarizes the central domestic mystery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/kreativity-for-kats
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters