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Why Is the Pallas's Cat Angry?

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helga ingvar
A photograph of a Pallas's cat
A photo of a Pallas's cat,

I don’t know whether this book has been posted here. It’s called “Why Is the Pallas's Cat Angry?” (if that translates awkwardly, I’ll rephrase it as: “Why Is the Pallas's Cat So Angry?”)

It’s a children’s poem, written by Elena Feldman, illustrated by Anna Kovalkina. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and vivid, and the text is funny. It’s very easy to buy, at least in Russia, on any marketplace.

The main character — a little boy named Petya — wonders before bed why the Pallas's cat is always so angry. Since these are poems, I also don’t know how they’ll translate into other languages, but I’ll reproduce the text from the book as captions.

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What is your favorite manul pair?

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helga ingvar

I decided to write my first post in honor of Family, Love, and Fidelity Day. It is celebrated in Russia today; yesterday in Japan was Tanabata, also a holiday for lovers, and even though February 14 is still far away, I’m going to say it anyway)

Which manuls deserve to be on Valentine’s cards? The Siberians are great, but among them it’s hard to single out the best pair. They are more like dancing the quadrille — a dance in which partners are meant to be swapped. And that makes sense: if the other manuls in other zoos had a choice, they would behave the same way. And it’s good for genetic diversity.

Maybe the St. Petersburg Sven and Namika are the standard of love that doesn’t fade with the years? Or the younger generation in the form of Shu and Pepe?

In Japan, at different times, the flagships of love were Lev and Shar, Klen and Primula, Bor and Polly, and now Nar and Az.

Or maybe you prefer the newcomers from Yerevan: the red-red-freckled Mano and Nano? Let’s see how they do!

Or do the incredibly sensual shots of Princess and Spay move you to squeals and purring? Spay is, of course, a handsome Frenchman, but he got such a star of a girl that, sorry, buddy, but now you’re just “Princess’s husband.”

And what about the incredible prima Mimi and her phlegmatic, calm husband Arkas, who is still the best, the only one, and the one for her?

The happily married Namu and Atlan?

Akiko, who finally waited for his Duchess.

And what is your favorite manul pair?