It was early in the game, and not all the "King Phillip Came Over From Green Street" stuff had been sorted out yet. They had it pretty well whipped, down to order, but beyond that, it was still pretty much of a crap shoot. So, if you were an aspiring new species, it was up to you find yourself a good order.

Under these circumstances it was that the Cat applied for membership in Order Carnivora. She was sponsored by the Fox, because you had to be sponsored, if you wanted to any chance of getting in. The Fox liked the Cat's style and was looking to upgrade the order. He felt it was rather too dominated by Weasels and Skunks.

"Brethren and Sistren!" cried the Fox, by way of introduction. "This here is the Cat! She would like to join our order. Just take a gander at her curriculum vitae! She's a predator from nose to tail. Look at those teeth! Look at those retractable claws! The sleek body! The swift, powerful legs! Why, she's everything you could ask for in a carnivore."

"Hmph," scoffed the Skunk. "Predation isn't everything. What kinds of things do you hunt?"

"Oh, I love rodents," replied the Cat. "And birds! Great challenge, birds!"

"No grubs or insects?" retorted the Skunk. "What kind of hunter are you?"

"Oh, the little stuff is ok, once in a while," said the Cat, "but I really prefer something larger, something that makes me work a little and is ... more filling. And tastes better. And doesn't leave antennae stuck between my teeth."

"Well, I vote no!" scowled the Skunk. "I will not have this creature in my order!"

"And why?" asked the Fox. "It couldn't be because she's a better predator than you are, could it? Or because she doesn't do everything your way?"

"Of course not!" huffed the Skunk, raising its tail. "It's because she stinks!"

It appears that the Skunk was out-voted, an end devoutly to be wished for those who cynically project their own failings on others.