Pigeons are generally associated with qualities like calmness, tranquility, quietude etc. Hence, if a cat is let loose amidst a flock of pigeons, it is sure to cause pandemonium. The ominous presence of a cat is enough to trigger panic in the flock. Suddenly the flock finds themselves at sixes and sevens and start fluttering their wings in a desperate endeavor to escape. Even though the cat if let loose amidst a horde of mice, causes frantic chaos and confusion, the impact felt is much lesser in comparison to the former situation, because except for a few squeaks and screeches, nothing else really happens with the mice. Somehow the mice scamper their way to escape. Whereas the noise caused due fluttering of the wings of the pigeons is sufficient to distract our attention. The frenzied pattern of flight which the pigeons follow en-route to escape is an indication of mayhem . Hence we say ''Cat among the pigeons'' and not ''Cat among mice'' purely because of the impact factor.
Nevertheless, this idiom is used across multifarious situations. Let us see a few of them:- When a bad tempered bully of manager starts hurling vitriolic abuses on his team comprised of dedicated and meticulous workers,and threatens to fire them, we can visualize a cat among the pigeons situation. Again, in cricket we often find commentators saying, '' the fast bowler is in the midst of a hostile and fiery spell. One more wicket here will expose the tail-enders and set the cat among the pigeons.'' (For MBA aspirants, the server crashes and intermittent technical glitches in CAT 2009 also set the cat among the pigeons). Even Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime has written a Hercule Poirot thriller titled ''Cat among the pigeons.'' Thus we find the manifold usage of the idiom.
Now let us think of ''Pigeon among the cats'' scenario.An Engineering student when bombarded with stupefying questions from panels of hostile professors in viva examinations is sure to have experienced this.(Although I have had the unique privilege of being the ''pigeon among lions'' :) .
Can we imagine a situation where a pigeon set among cats is capable of wreaking havoc?Apparently,the answer seems to be an absolute no-brainer. But if we can think a little out-of-the-box, then the answer is probably a big yes. That pigeon is none other than one of the world's greatest fast bowlers- Glenn McGrath (nicknamed The Pigeon). By dint of his pace and excellent swing control, he was capable of getting even the best of the batsmen out. The mere sight of the pigeon steaming in from 30 yards was enough to set the batsman's heart pounding in fear. The players in the dressing room, by then would have no more nails left to bite. At the same time, there also exists a compassionate,sympathetic and a humanitarian side of this apparently aggressive pigeon. Off the field he is perhaps one of the most amiable cricketers ever seen. After the unfortunate demise of his wife, he has taken a noble initiative of setting up the McGrath Foundation which raises money for cancer treatment and spreading cancer awareness. No words can describe the greatness of this pigeon.
Similarly,the human mind is also like an imperceptible pigeon- calm, unruffled, imperturbable from the outside,but yet at the same time, has enough power and potential inside even to challenge the best, and emerge triumphant.Hence, it all depends on how we unleash the pigeon in us, which determines whether we fly to great heights or eventually end up getting killed by the cat.
