By now, most of us are well-acquainted with the concept of failing upward—a phenomenon where someone stumbles into success despite repeated mistakes or a lack of qualifications. It’s something we’ve seen play out on the global political stage for years. But there’s a lesser-known, equally fascinating concept that deserves some attention: fortuitous competency.
Now, what exactly does that mean? Simply put, it’s when someone (or, in this case, a cat) accidentally accomplishes something impressive—without having any clue what they were doing in the first place. Once they realize what just happened, they might have a bit of an identity crisis, experiencing imposter syndrome in real time. And that, dear reader, is exactly what Rooster the cat went through when he successfully caught his first-ever mouse.
Rooster, an unsuspecting feline with a TikTok account managed by his human (@roostermeows), recently went viral for a hilarious yet profound moment of self-discovery. In a short but eventful 13-second clip, Rooster is seen proudly holding a live mouse in his mouth—only to experience an emotional rollercoaster upon realizing what he’s done.
At first, Rooster appears to believe that he’s simply chomping down on one of his beloved plush toys. But then, in a moment of pure, unfiltered cat confusion, he spots his actual toy resting on the floor. And that’s when it hits him:
“Wait… if my toy is over there… then what’s in my mou—OH NO.”
Cue the existential crisis. In the blink of an eye, Rooster is no longer just a playful kitten but has been unexpectedly promoted to Chief Executive of Rodent Control. And judging by his reaction, he is not sure he wanted this job. The mouse, on the other hand, has reportedly retired to a beachfront property in Bermuda, possibly as part of an unspoken agreement with Rooster in exchange for its life.
The Internet Reacts
TikTok users wasted no time showering Rooster with praise for his lightning-fast deduction skills. “He’s such a thinker,” one commenter admired. “Not him comparing and contrasting,” another quipped, impressed by the cat’s ability to piece together the situation like a detective in a crime drama.
But while Rooster was busy having a minor breakdown, many viewers were more focused on his owner’s reaction—or rather, the lack of one. “The way you’re not panicking???” one baffled commenter wrote, in awe of the sheer composure displayed in the presence of an actual live rodent.