The Cat That Walked by Himself: And Other Stories

By Rudyard Kipling

Book Overview

Originally collected in Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories in 1902, The Cat that Walked by Himself is one of the best-loved cat tales ever written. It is a story of the beginning of domesticated life: Man meets Woman and they move into a cave and set up the first household. Dog, Horse, and Cow come out of the Wild Woods and become tame. But Cat refuses, "I am not a friend and I am not a servant. I am the Cat who walks by himself and all places are alike to me." Woman makes a bargain with Cat to allow him to come into the cave and sit by the fire and drink milk. But when night comes, he is once again the Cat that walks by himself.

The contrast between the cozy, domestic world and the cold, dark outdoors where the cat still has his freedom make this a compelling tale and a fun take on the independent feline character. This beautiful book is illustrated with the original pen-and-ink drawings by Kipling, including the iconic picture of the cat "walking by his wild lone through the Wet Wild Woods and waving his wild tail".

This edition also offers two other favorite children's stories told by Kipling, "How the Camel Got His Hump," '"The Elephant's Child," and "How the Rhinocerous Got His Skin." This charming book is the perfect gift for children, cat lovers, and Kipling fans alike.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0712358099
• ISBN13: 9780712358095
• Release Date: October 2010
• Publisher: British Library
• Length: 72 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.0" x 0.6" x 4.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

It happened "Just So"!

My favorite of the "Just So Stories" explains how the Cat, the "wildest of the wild animals" came to share the home and hearth of Man. Of course, the Cat resisted the Magic which the Woman made to enslave the Dog, the Horse, and the Cow. He tricked the Woman into accepting him on his own terms. And to this day, he walks by himself, by his wild lone, waving his wild tail. And all places are alike to him. I've read Kipling's classic a bazillion times in the past 45 years, and this is easily the most beautiful rendition of it I've ever seen. The large type and attractive font make reading easy for children -- and delightful for adults! The illustrations are simply exquisite! The "Just So Stories" have withstood the test of time -- more than a century -- and political correctness But I beg to differ with Kipling's contention that "three proper Men out of five will always throw things at a Cat." *Real* proper men love cats!

Living with cats, I know it is true.

This has always been my favorite "Just So Story." It is good to see it in an individual book, as it is a little unwieldy as part of a group. This is the story of how woman domesticated various animals, yet had to deal on equal terms with the cat. We all know this is true yet it is good to find the origin of this truth. The pictures add a dimension and do not distract from the words. Rudyard Kipling is a master at this telling.