My Father, the Cat

"My Father, the Cat" by Henry Slesar is a humorous and imaginative short story about a man named Étienne and his father, who happens to be a talking cat named Dauphin; the story blends fantasy and humor, showcasing the unusual relationship between Étienne and his feline father, highlighting themes of identity and acceptance as Étienne prepares to introduce his fiancée, Joanna, to his unconventional family estate in Brittany, and as Étienne struggles with keeping his father's true identity hidden, fearing Joanna's reaction, the story creates suspense that culminates in a funny and touching encounter where Joanna innocently treats Dauphin like any other cat, in the end, the narrative explores the consequences of secrets.