Max, when people go to a gypsy fortune teller they hope to hear a prediction of wealth, happiness, love and other good things that they hope they will have in their future. However, once in a while they may get told about death, which would scare them.
In this cartoon the client is represented by a cat. The client has just been told that there is something frightening in his future- the vacuum cleaner. The cat was so terrified that he jumped straight up out of his chair, setting the lamp swinging. See how he is looking back over his shoulder as if it might get out of the crystal ball and come and get him?
I guess the humor of the situation, the reason the cartoon is funny, is based on the realization that people don’t want to hear bad predictions- even though common sense would tell us that there are both bad and good events coming our way in the future.
I think I can explain it … but it took me awhile to “get it”.
Here’s how I think it’s sposed to go:
1) the cat is the client. It had been sitting in the chair.
2) Fortune teller predicts a vacuum cleaner in the cat’s future.
3) Cats are (I suppose) scared of vacuum cleaners. Maybe it’s the roar of the machine. Maybe it’s how the machine takes sweeps over places where the cat hangs ou, picking up cat hair, for example. No matter. The cat is afraid of the vacuum cleaner.
4) Because it’s afraid out of its mind, the cat vaults to the ceiling.
5) Fortune telller says, Ooops, my bad, it’s not a vacuum cleaner. Cat need not be afraid of this portent of doom.
Max Starman Jones over 15 years ago
Could someone explain this one to me?
ReaderDoc over 15 years ago
Max, when people go to a gypsy fortune teller they hope to hear a prediction of wealth, happiness, love and other good things that they hope they will have in their future. However, once in a while they may get told about death, which would scare them.
In this cartoon the client is represented by a cat. The client has just been told that there is something frightening in his future- the vacuum cleaner. The cat was so terrified that he jumped straight up out of his chair, setting the lamp swinging. See how he is looking back over his shoulder as if it might get out of the crystal ball and come and get him?
I guess the humor of the situation, the reason the cartoon is funny, is based on the realization that people don’t want to hear bad predictions- even though common sense would tell us that there are both bad and good events coming our way in the future.
chromosome Premium Member over 15 years ago
Thuffering thuccotash!
Ushindi over 15 years ago
Simple, Max - a fortune teller with a bent overhead light and a cat with it’s claws stuck in the ceiling. Glad to help. Ask me anytime.
PJinCali about 15 years ago
I think I can explain it … but it took me awhile to “get it”. Here’s how I think it’s sposed to go: 1) the cat is the client. It had been sitting in the chair. 2) Fortune teller predicts a vacuum cleaner in the cat’s future. 3) Cats are (I suppose) scared of vacuum cleaners. Maybe it’s the roar of the machine. Maybe it’s how the machine takes sweeps over places where the cat hangs ou, picking up cat hair, for example. No matter. The cat is afraid of the vacuum cleaner. 4) Because it’s afraid out of its mind, the cat vaults to the ceiling. 5) Fortune telller says, Ooops, my bad, it’s not a vacuum cleaner. Cat need not be afraid of this portent of doom.