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The Cat That Walked by Himself

From Just So Stories, by Rudyard Kipling

This story comes from Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, first published in 1902. Kipling wrote these playful tales to explain, in an imaginary way, how certain animals came to be the way they are. In this story, he invents a reason why cats are independent and why dogs chase cats up trees. The tale reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. It is worth a child's time because it celebrates the cat's cleverness and independence, while showing that every bargain has two sides—and that even the cleverest creatures must keep their promises.

Band

Green · Independent readers, earlyTypical starting range: ages 9–11

Length

long · about 851 words in 6 sections · 3 pictures

Source

Just so stories, Rudyard Kipling

First published

1902

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

Readers are engineered from the original public-domain text with AI under HummingRead’s published canon and Content Philosophy, checked by automated audit and sampled by a person. Pictures are made with AI to HummingRead’s brief for each story. How a reader is made.

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