The Cat That Told a Thousand Tales

Writing ‘The Cat Amongst the Stalls’

There are few things as rewarding — and fun — as writing a book that feels like it writes itself. The Cat Amongst the Stalls was one of those rare projects, a collection of short stories that came together with an ease that almost felt magical.

It’s a book brimming with the sights, sounds, and flavours of a Singaporean hawker centre, all seen through the sharp and knowing eyes of a stray cat who has made this bustling space his kingdom.

Why a Cat? And Why This Cat?

Every writer has their muse, and mine was a cat I once ‘knew’ in my teenage years. His name was Socks, a grey tabby with an air of quiet confidence and a knack for appearing exactly when you least expected it.

He wasn’t a pet — at least, not in the traditional sense. He belonged to no one and yet, in some way, he belonged to everyone. He roamed, he observed, he judged. And if you were lucky, he graced you with his presence (especially if you had food).

Socks was more than just a cat; he was a storyteller in his own way, silently witnessing the lives of the people around him. It didn’t take much to imagine what he might be thinking as he lounged near a hawker stall or flicked his tail at a passerby. I often found myself wondering: what would the world look like through his eyes? What secrets would he know? What stories would he tell?

That question became the seed for The Cat Amongst the Stalls.

The Joy of Short Stories

One of the most liberating parts of writing this book was its format. Instead of a single, continuous narrative, I opted for a collection of interconnected short stories. Each chapter is a glimpse into the lives of the hawker centre’s patrons, vendors, and the ghosts of their pasts. And tying them all together is our feline narrator, who prowls through their world with a mix of curiosity, mischief, and a surprising depth of wisdom.

Short stories have a special kind of magic. They allow for bursts of creativity — each tale standing on its own, yet collectively painting a larger picture. Unlike a novel, where you’re committed to a long, unfolding arc, short stories let you dip into different moods, themes, and characters, creating a mosaic of moments rather than a single, linear journey.

For a setting as lively and dynamic as a hawker centre, this format felt perfect. After all, isn’t that how we experience these spaces in real life? Each visit brings a new encounter, a fresh slice of someone’s day, a different story unfolding at the next table.

A Love Letter to Singapore’s Hawker Culture

At its heart, The Cat Amongst the Stalls is a tribute to something quintessentially Singaporean: the hawker centre. These places aren’t just about food (though let’s be honest, the food is phenomenal).

They are melting pots of culture, tradition, and human connection. They are where generations gather, where strangers become friends over a shared table, where the sizzle of woks and the aroma of kopi create a symphony of daily life.

Through the cat’s eyes, we see the unspoken stories behind the stalls. The old hawker who refuses to retire despite his failing health. The young woman trying to make her mark with a new stall, struggling against both competition and self-doubt. The foreign worker who cleans the tables but dreams of a better life. And, of course, the regulars — the ones who come every day, ordering the same dish, sitting at the same spot, as if anchored to this place in a way even they don’t fully understand.

The Fun in the Writing

Writing this book was, simply put, an absolute joy. There was the fun of slipping into the mind of a cat — crafting his sharp-witted observations, his occasional disdain for human foolishness, and his moments of unexpected empathy.

There was the delight of creating characters that felt real, their struggles and triumphs shaped by the ever-present backdrop of the hawker centre. And of course, there was the sheer pleasure of writing about food — the rich, tantalising descriptions of nasi lemak, Hokkien mee, satay, and all the dishes that make Singapore’s food culture so irresistible.

It was also a deeply personal experience. In many ways, this book is a love letter — not just to hawker centres, but to the past, to nostalgia, to the simple yet profound connections we form in the most ordinary of places. Writing it allowed me to revisit my own memories, to capture the warmth and vibrancy of a space that has always felt like home.

A Story for Anyone Who Loves Stories

The Cat Amongst the Stalls is for anyone who loves a good story. It’s for those who find comfort in the little details of everyday life. It’s for those who appreciate the wisdom of animals, the charm of a well-cooked meal, and the quiet, profound moments that happen when people share a space and their lives intersect in unexpected ways.

So if you’re looking for something that will make you laugh, make you hungry, and maybe even make you see the world a little differently — come meet the King of the Hawker Centre. He has stories to tell.

And trust me, they’re worth listening to.