The Cat Who Went to Heaven
Coatsworth, Elizabeth
Readability: 7
Newbery Award Winner
Main Characters: The Young Artist, The Housekeeper, and the cat
Setting: Artist's poor home in Japan

"Good Fortune watched the artist painting everyday. He drew pictures of elephants, deer, monkeys, horses, dogs, and even the fierce tiger. Buddha had accepted all animals into Heaven, except the lowly cat. Day by day Good Fortune became sadder. The young artist could no longer refuse to draw Good Fortune's picture. He knew the priests would be angry. He would be in disgrace, but still he drew the cat and placed it for all to see. The priests decided that his beautiful picture must be burned, for cats could not be accepted into Heaven."

This story is composed of a number of legends concerning Buddha and his acceptance of the animals into Heaven. The cat was excluded because it was the only animal who refused the teachings of Buddha. It had been too proud and self-satisfied. Good Fortune, however, had been such a good cat and worshipped Bud&a so faithfully that a miracle happened. Good Fortune's picture was painted and accepted by the priests. Buddha had been most compassionate and the cats, because of Good Fortune, had been forgiven.

Questions:

1. What is the central idea in the story?


2. Why were cats not accepted into Heaven?


3. What animal was accepted into Heaven because it was willing to give its life for another?


4. Why was the monkey accepted into Heaven?


5. Which animal would you rather be and why?