Daredevil the Cat

PreS-Gr 2–Daredevil believes that cats like him have nine lives, and so he runs around his forest home with abandon. Despite warnings from other animals, the frisky black feline takes flight by propelling himself off a swing, and bouncing off other things. Too late, he finally realizes the danger he is in. If it weren’t for his umbrella, he wouldn’t have landed in the king’s castle or been able to pass on his newfound wisdom to a prince. This story is part of a series of fables and folktales, and certainly has the feel of one as it quickly takes unexpected turns. However, whether this is an original fable or one based on an existing work is not noted. In either case, using the myth of a cat’s nine lives to teach the value of only having one, is a clever idea. The author also leaves room for storytellers to talk about other topics, such as the consequences of hubris and the importance of sharing knowledge. While the narration and dialogue befits a fable, the cartoonish forms, and almost childlike coloring suits the nature of the character. The composition and the white space keep the focus on Daredevil and his motion.