Hanser Literaturverlage

The little tom is called Nero because he is totally black, save for a single white paw. It takes him just six weeks to become the boss on the farm and to put the other animals - the ridiculous chickens, the sheep, the farm dog and of course the other cats - in their place. Nero fears nobody and nothing, not even Robert and Isolde from Cologne, who use the small house on the hill as their summer quarters. That he dares to approach them, and even curls up on the sofa with the pink cushions, earns him the second part of his name: Corleone, which means Lionheart. Nero Corleone, the small black tom with the white paw and the sharp claws has it in him to become one of the greats. But not on the farm, which hardly offers space enough for his grand designs. No, Cologne is the place. That's where real life begins, with pile carpets and snug sofas, with kindly humans like Isolde and a mountain of sausage meat every day. And if other toms should prowl the vicinity - well, let them watch out! The only question is: how to get Robert and Isolde to take him along...together with his sweetheart Rosa, of course...?

Elke Heidenreich writes about her favourite pets with a engaging sense of humour and a great deal of knowledge, well aware of the similarities between the world of the cat and "reals" life.