Tradition / Region: Luxembourgish Mythology
Alternative names: The Intrusive Cat
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Zudringliche Katze appears as an ordinary cat that visits people at night, speaks with a human voice, and is believed to be a witch in animal form.
According to the legend, a young woman from Bons entered service at a farm in Hamm. After she had lived there for a few weeks, a mysterious cat began visiting her bedroom door at night. The animal softly scratched at the door and repeatedly called in a strange voice, Margaret, open the door.
The servant refused to let it in. Eventually, she grew tired of the nightly disturbance. One night she leapt from her bed, flung the door open, and hurled one of her shoes at the cat with all her strength. The cat immediately disappeared, and everything fell silent.
The next morning, the young woman searched for her shoe, but it had completely vanished without a trace. According to the tradition, this proved that the mysterious cat had been a witch in disguise.
Sources
De la Fontaine, Edmond. Luxemburger Sagen und Legenden. Luxembourg: Jos. Beffort, 1882. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://viewer.eluxemburgensia.lu/ark:70795/rvks9k