Summary

Preface to “Fufi” – The author describes the apparently world-wide belief that black people do not like cats, citing their association with the supernatural. “In South Africa,” he adds, “black people have dogs” (93).

Fufi – After briefly describing his family’s first failed attempt at having pets (a pair of black cats), the author describes his close, loving relationship with the athletic but strangely stupid dog Fufi: it was only later, at her death, that it was learned she was deaf. The author also describes Fufi being mysteriously absent during the day; his discovery that she was being cared for by another boy during her absences; and the author's mother’s having to resort to bribery to get her back. He then writes about realizing, as a result of his relationship with Fufi, that no matter how much one loves another, the other is not...