From around the world – China to Ireland, France to India – come these eight ancient cat tales, stories that have survived for generations because of their enduring popularity.

Affectionate, vicious, murderous or benign – however you view cats you will find them portrayed here in their contradictory splendour.

“A cat may look at a King, and a swain’s eye hath as high a reach as a lord’s looks.”

— Robert Greene, 1590