Characters: Kelsey, Socrates K: Pardon me. S: Of course. What it is?
K: I seem to have lost my cat somewhere around here and am having a hard time finding her. Have you seen any cats round here lately?
S: My boy, what need have you to ask me if I've seen cats here before. They appear before me on the road, morning and evening, traveling in packs like sheep.
K: Ah, I see. Well, my cat's kind of special, I think. Uh, she's milky white but with orange stripes down her back like a tiger. In fact, I named her "Tiger". She's pretty small for a cat, so I've been worried sick that she might get into some kind of trouble... Ah, so sorry -- my name's Kelsey, by the way. S: You say your cat is special, one to stand out against millions of cats in the world. I'm hardly one to say whether one of a thing is special or not, especially to someone in particular. But tell me, if you know for sure what about your cat makes her special, then surely you can tell me what a cat itself is.
K: Um...I don't catch your meaning actually. S: A cat. Can you tell me what a cat is exactly? For if we are to indeed deem your cat a special one, we must first be able to say what a cat is, then from there confer as to what is different or greater about your cat such as to call it special, should we not?
K: Ah. Well, uh, that sounds reasonable.
S: So tell me, first, what can I expect a cat to be, or to have, in order to know for sure that it is a cat that I am considering.
K: ...Well, I guess cats have four legs, don't they? S: Ah, indeed, four legs. That is for certain. And yet, does not a table also have four legs? What am I to understand differently about a table so as to not confuse my consideration of it with that of a cat?
K: Wow. Um...well, a table does also have four legs, but a table doesn't move around like a cat does, does it? It just kind of sits there. A cat's an organic thing, yes? It moves a lot, and quickly too. My cat's quite likely the fastest in the neighborhood, no doubt. Quite different from a table, I'd say. S: Yes, I see now. However, now I'm troubled by another matter. You say that a cat is fast and organic. But does not also a horse possess these same attributes? Is not a horse renowned for its speed, its agility?
K: Well, yes.
S: You see now, then, how troubled I must be to believe myself to be considering a cat but in doubt as to whether or not I'm only mistaking a horse for one. K: Ah. I see.
S: Do you see my predicament?
K: Yep. I think I do anyway... Listen, I'm in kind of a hurry. You couldn't just tell me whether or not you've seen a cat with orange stripes around here, could you? S: You mustn't mock me, my boy. You are in grave misfortune if you are confident enough to say to me that of the millions of cats I've seen in my life that your cat is special, however try as you might you are unable to even tell me what a cat itself is . If you cannot answer this one simple question, how am I to understand you, let alone believe you, when you say that your cat is something special?
K: *Long sigh* Alright, alright. I understand. ...No, wait. I suppose I don't. Come to think of it, I really don't know at the moment what a cat is anymore. I mean, I think I do, but why can't I just tell you. ...Old man, I'm afraid I haven't a clue. S: That is a most admirable answer. You will find that it is better at times to admit what we do not know, even if it might mean that we have not a bit of knowledge of anything at all. In any case, I recommend you travel this path in search of your cat. May you find her well and unharmed.
K: Yes, um... Thank you, sir.
Now listen to the questions. If you don't understand something, ask either Kelsey or your tutor for help. Send your answers to Kelsey in the Writing Section at LingQ or tell Kelsey your answers in a conversation with him in the Speaking Section. You don't have to answer all the questions. Good luck!
