the story takes place in the jewish community of algeria during the 1920s. one day a rabbi finds that his talking parrot, who is very noisy, has been eaten by his cat and that the cat has gained the ability to speak in human tongues. however, the rabbi finds that the cat is very rude and arrogant, so the rabbi teaches him about the torah, with the cat deciding that — if he is jewish — then he should receive a bar mitzvah, leading the two to consult with the rabbi's rabbi. the cat proceeds to mock and insult the rabbi's strict views, who declares that the cat should be killed for its heresy. the rabbi takes his cat and leaves, mad at the cat for making a fool of his master. the two eventually reach an agreement where the rabbi will teach the cat all about the torah and that he might have his bar mitzvah when he is ready.