Cat’s Day. Filemon, Krzywo³ap and others – a cat in literature

“Sick Kitty. Polish Classics”, Stanisław Jachowicz; “Here comes the cancer. In the room on the table. The angular circle”

The heroes of these books are the first two cats that we usually got to know as readers. One drank the milk and broke an egg that was standing on the table in the room, and the other fell ill. And how can you not be fond of them? Do you also smile fondly when you hear the opening lines of these lovely little rhymes and your lips fold together to recite the sequel? I bet you did.

“Adventures of the cat Filemon”, Sławomir Grabowski, Marek Nejman

Here is another cat whose adventures we followed with bated breath – both on the TV and reading beautifully illustrated books. The adventures of the grumpy Boniface and the lovable white Philemon with a brown patch are another childhood memory that brings a smile to our faces. I am convinced that these two mischievous kittens still have a group of loyal admirers today.

“Cat in Boots”, Jan Brzechwa

We were used to cute kittens running on all fours and lapping milk from a bowl, and then suddenly HE – Puss in Boots – entered our safe and organized children’s world. A cat that, like a man on two legs, in long boots, traveled the world and fascinated us immensely. There were many interpretations of his adventures, based on the original fairy tale by Charles Perrault, and I am particularly fond of this beautifully rhymed story by Jan Brzechwa.

“Garfield”

We all know this tomcat as well. He is the protagonist of countless comics, books, animated and fictional films. In his young years, he made us enjoy many afternoons spent over a book or in front of the TV, and I am convinced that many of us dreamed of such a red-haired friend exclusively.

“President and Kreska. How cats explain the world to themselves”, Łukasz Orbitowski

As you can see, our childhood was full of feline heroes, but contemporary young readers cannot complain about their lack. Łukasz Orbitowski especially for them, in the pages of his book, brought to life two unique, purring personalities – the President and Kreska, who make ground-breaking discoveries and keep night secrets. In these fairy tales, many questions will be answered by both children and adults.

Alice in Wonderland, Carroll Lewis

I don’t have to introduce this lady to anyone. And the cat accompanying her, of course not. Although he appears only three times in the novel, he is one of the most characteristic and recognizable characters in the book. He is a figure completely independent of all other creatures, and his smile is remembered forever by most of the readers of this work.

Coraline, Neil Gaiman

Coraline and her parents moved to an apartment with twenty-one windows and fourteen doors. This brave and resolute girl decides to visit the whole house thoroughly. And you are right, during his penetration, he meets a cat. Black and, in addition, a talking one. Their initial distrust, along with the pages of the book turned over by the reader, turns into a true friendship.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling

You will meet many cats during your Hogwarts trip, but two should be remembered in particular. I am thinking of Krzywoap and Mrs. Norris. They both care a lot about Hogwarts and seem to be irreplaceable in it. Crookshanks hunts rats and reigns supreme in the Gryffindor lounge, and Mrs. Norris, as befits a real janitor’s assistant, informs him when necessary about undesirable incidents and in her own way cares for the safety of the entire Hogwarts. Such cats are a real treasure for any educational institution.

“The Master and Margarita”, Mikhail Bulgakov

What is the first association with the term “cat in literature”? Of course he, Behemoth. A huge, demonic, black cat, which, just like Puss in Boots, walks on two legs, but otherwise completely different from him. From time to time he takes a human form, he does not avoid chess, vodka, guns and sarcasm. And how not to worship one like that?

“The End and the Beginning”, Wisława Szymborska

It is in this book that you will meet the cat that deserves the Nobel Prize – “Cat in an Empty Apartment”. For years this poem has been invariably moving and moving readers to tears, especially cat keepers. Because we all know what is not done to a cat …