Is the Cheshire Cat a Cat?

A dialogue inspired by the writing style of Lewis Carroll.
I’ve been wanting to write a book called ‘The Alternative Alice’.
Guess this is a start, as a random episode!

Alternative Alice (1): Is the Cheshire Cat a Cat?

Cheshire Cat: Greetings!
Alice: Are you a cat?
Cheshire Cat: Do I look like anything else?
Alice: No, but I would hardly think you are one!
Cheshire Cat: Why would you say that?
Alice: All the cats I’ve seen never smile, much less grin so much!
Cheshire Cat: Surely, I’m none of the ‘other cats’ you have seen.
Alice: But I’ve never heard any cat talk either!
Cheshire Cat: Not any more!
Alice: Okay… You are somewhat like a cat, but somewhat not like a cat too.
Cheshire Cat: You seem somewhat confused!
Alice: I’m not confused! You must be confused to think you are a real cat.
Cheshire Cat: Before meeting you, I’ve never seen an Alice or heard one talk either. Does that make you not Alice?
Alice: Who else could Alice be?
Cheshire Cat: And who else could I be?

Notice that the Cheshire Cat never said he is a cat or not –
while it was Alice who was trying to figure it out!

Next AA: https://moonpointer.com/new/2010/03/what-is-not-cat-about-the-cheshire-cat