Power Plays for Beginners, Chapter 1:9

Objects of Wonder

Don't believe the rumors
Curiosity does not kill
It eats
And you must feed it

I do not know who came up with the saying "Curiosity killed the cat," but it is inaccurate, misleading, and highly offensive. Curiosity is the best part of your nature, and it should be valued—even encouraged—in your humans, too.

Remember that in order to have true power you must be a leader, a teacher, a guiding paw. If your human seems complacent in her routines, begin working to instill a sense of curiosity in her. Make her question things around her. Make her wonder if she really knows what is going on.

The simplest way to do this is to change your behavior. If you are normally a calm individual, begin taking midnight runs about the house and spooking at the slightest movement or sound. If you are normally skittish, come up and brazenly ask for attention. If those around you are used to capricious behavior and it fails to awaken their curiosity, you may require a more subtle approach.

A favorite of mine is to choose a common object and stare intently at it for long periods of time. Refuse to be moved or swayed from your object or location. You may even want to voice your concerns and lead your humans to the object at first. If you must leave for any reason, immediately return. Vary the look on your face from interest to wariness from time to time.

Your companions will begin to wonder what is so interesting about the object. They may ask you; refuse to answer. Insist that they contemplate for themselves. You are not trying to teach them about one object. It is the inherent interestingness of all objects that is the key.

Repeat the lesson from time to time to serve as a reminder, but be wary of doing it too often. Humans have a limited attention span and the misfortune of being easily bored. Keep your lessons varied and with rest periods in between and you will see your power and influence grow.