The Cat Who Went to Heaven
Encyclopedia
The Cat Who Went to Heaven is a 1930 novel by Elizabeth Coatsworth
that won the Newbery Medal
for excellence in American
children's literature
in 1931. The story is set in ancient Japan
, and is about a poor painter and a cat he adopts.
The storyline is supposedly based on an old Buddhist folk tale, and includes many Buddhist concepts. The story includes, as asides, a short telling of the Buddha
's life, and brief accounts of some of the Buddha's previous lifetimes as animals, (see Jataka tales.)
In the story, the artist's housekeeper has eight songs in the form of poems; each one appears at the end of a chapter.
However the unusually good behaviour of the cat causes him to change his mind, and so he names the cat "Good Fortune". At breakfast, the painter notes that the cat appears to be paying homage to the image of the Buddha. The painter comments on his own lack of prayer, as a result of the hard times he has lived through. Soon after, he notices the hungry cat catch, and then gently release, a bird. The cat behaves very well, even removing itself from the room when it cannot be useful, and following proper social behaviour.
Almost completely destitute, the painter is given a commission by the monks at the local temple
. They hired him because of a divination
; they had put slips of paper with various artists names out in the courtyard, and his was the one left after the others had blown away. The artist has to paint a picture of the dying Buddha, surrounded by animals coming to pay homage to him. The artist is given a large sum of money as a first payment, to "put his mind at ease".
As the artist progresses with the painting, he meditates on the life of the Buddha and the Buddha's previous lives, in order to be able to paint each part of the scene sincerely.
Towards the end of the painting process, and after painting many other animals, the painter realizes that his cat, who he now sees as a truly noble being, cannot be represented in the painting. The story says that the traditional belief in his time was that cats are supposedly cursed, because of their pride and sense of superiority, which apparently caused them to refuse to bow before the Buddha in his lifetime, and that this therefore means they are barred from entering Nirvana
. Consequently, the prevailing thought in the painter's village is that no cat may enter Heaven.
When the picture is completed, Good Fortune seems to notice and sadly protests the lack of any cat in the painting. Deeply touched by her sadness, the artist finally paints a small cat in the corner, knowing that this will greatly displease the monks. Upon seeing this, Good Fortune dies of happiness. By her grave is a peach tree with a bell hanging on it; the housekeeper says she can hear the bell singing " Rejoice!"
The mural is finally delivered, and is greatly praised by the monks until they notice the presence of a cat, and reject it completely. The painter is in disgrace. Nevertheless, the evening brings the news of a miracle. The painter arrives to find the image has miraculously changed: the dying Buddha has extended his hand in blessing over a small white cat which is next to him.
Elizabeth Coatsworth
Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth was an American author of children's fiction and poetry. Her novel The Cat Who Went to Heaven won the 1931 Newbery Medal....
that won the Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
for excellence in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
in 1931. The story is set in ancient Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and is about a poor painter and a cat he adopts.
The storyline is supposedly based on an old Buddhist folk tale, and includes many Buddhist concepts. The story includes, as asides, a short telling of the Buddha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
's life, and brief accounts of some of the Buddha's previous lifetimes as animals, (see Jataka tales.)
In the story, the artist's housekeeper has eight songs in the form of poems; each one appears at the end of a chapter.
The story
A impoverished Japanese painter sends his housekeeper out with a few coins to buy some food. Instead, she brings home a white cat from the dock, stating that the house is "lonely". The painter is initially very unhappy with this choice, as he is very hungry. He remarks that he can't even remember what rice cakes taste like, and states that cats are devils. However, he is somewhat consoled when he notices that the cat has three colors, which is considered lucky.However the unusually good behaviour of the cat causes him to change his mind, and so he names the cat "Good Fortune". At breakfast, the painter notes that the cat appears to be paying homage to the image of the Buddha. The painter comments on his own lack of prayer, as a result of the hard times he has lived through. Soon after, he notices the hungry cat catch, and then gently release, a bird. The cat behaves very well, even removing itself from the room when it cannot be useful, and following proper social behaviour.
Almost completely destitute, the painter is given a commission by the monks at the local temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
. They hired him because of a divination
Divination
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
; they had put slips of paper with various artists names out in the courtyard, and his was the one left after the others had blown away. The artist has to paint a picture of the dying Buddha, surrounded by animals coming to pay homage to him. The artist is given a large sum of money as a first payment, to "put his mind at ease".
As the artist progresses with the painting, he meditates on the life of the Buddha and the Buddha's previous lives, in order to be able to paint each part of the scene sincerely.
Towards the end of the painting process, and after painting many other animals, the painter realizes that his cat, who he now sees as a truly noble being, cannot be represented in the painting. The story says that the traditional belief in his time was that cats are supposedly cursed, because of their pride and sense of superiority, which apparently caused them to refuse to bow before the Buddha in his lifetime, and that this therefore means they are barred from entering Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
. Consequently, the prevailing thought in the painter's village is that no cat may enter Heaven.
When the picture is completed, Good Fortune seems to notice and sadly protests the lack of any cat in the painting. Deeply touched by her sadness, the artist finally paints a small cat in the corner, knowing that this will greatly displease the monks. Upon seeing this, Good Fortune dies of happiness. By her grave is a peach tree with a bell hanging on it; the housekeeper says she can hear the bell singing " Rejoice!"
The mural is finally delivered, and is greatly praised by the monks until they notice the presence of a cat, and reject it completely. The painter is in disgrace. Nevertheless, the evening brings the news of a miracle. The painter arrives to find the image has miraculously changed: the dying Buddha has extended his hand in blessing over a small white cat which is next to him.