Chinese myth relates that cats, in the beginning of the creation, were appointed by the gods to oversee everything, making certain all was run properly.

#FolkloreThursday

Cats had even been given the ability of speech! But the felines were more interested in sleeping beneath cherry trees and playing with falling blossoms instead of looking after a boring human world.

Three times the gods visited the cats and as many times caught them at play, neglecting their duties. On the third time the gods visited the cats, the cats proclaimed they had no interest in running the world.

The gods nominated humans for the position and granted them power of speech, which was taken from the cats. Humans, unfortunately weren't able to understand the words of the gods so cats were entrusted with the task of keeping time and thus maintaining order.

To this very day it's believed in China that one could tell the time of day by looking into a cat's eyes. This is also why cats wear their supercilious expressions when they see us rushing frantically about!