The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth

This story presents itself as softly and elegantly as the cat it features.
I find it astonishing that we’ve studied Asian culture at least twice “formally” as we homeschool, and I only just discovered Elizabeth Coatsworth’s beautiful story:

Setting: Japan

Characters: Buddhist artist; housekeeper; cat named Good Fortune

Plot: hungry artist sends housekeeper for food. He doesn't want the cat she brings back instead of food. Soon, he receives great opportunity to paint the Buddha for the temple and thus ensure his career.

This good fortune is attributed to the cat. Because of the cat’s dogged determination, (that was on purpose), the artist paints the cat into the picture and displeases the temple priests. When hope for the artist's future seems lost, a miracle occurs.

Readability: high

Read-aloud: highly recommended

Quality of writing: high

It’s a lyrical, lovely story. The artist meditates upon the life of the Buddha before attempting to paint him and the surrounding animals. Each meditation unfurls the outline of the story of the Buddha. The power of the story, as in all good ones, lies in its entirety. There is the dignity and mystery of the cat; the humility of the housekeeper, which is the foundation of religious growth. Poems of the housekeeper appear as their own chapters.

Not uncoincidentally, the author meditates and paints the tiger into the picture before the cat. The tiger, he concludes, is worthy of blessing from the ferocity of the power of love. But the cat, legend has it, refused the Buddha’s blessing and must pay the price for its decision. There is a ferocity in the love the artist exhibits as he paints the cat into the picture, convinced his own cat will be pleased. There is a fiercely satisfying ending.

Our particular copy was enhanced by the illustrations of Raoul Vitale. It was an Aladdin paperback. Look for that particular edition!

Catholic parents need to know that reincarnation features prominently, and, of course, it is a reflection of what Buddhists believe about the Buddha. I would also be mindful of the idea presented that holiness is increased by the decision not to eat animals, and animals in general are elevated to the point where the line between human and animal souls is blurred.

SAFETY RATING: (3 Flags; assuming child is well-catechized)


See: Catechism of the Catholic Church: reincarnation: 1013

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Bless this Mouse by Lois Lowry

This is a cute story about a mice community living in St. Bartholomew's church. Mostly, it’s a good life: the mice enjoy the beauty of organ music, love church terms like "narthex" for the entry-way, and enjoy the liturgical ceremonies. The head mouse cares carefully for the beautiful cassocks and surplices in the priest’s room. No mouse is allowed to take these threads for their nests!

The Great X is one dreadful aspect of their existence. But head mouse Hildegard has engaged plan Exodus for such an event, It is put-in-place the day Father calls the exterminator. All mice flee for the outside graveyard.

Despite the charm of the story overall, reservations cropped up. Geared toward young tweens, there are details I would consider unnecessary: the mouse who gets drunk on spilled wine, the mention of the church secretary amongst all the other people at the AA meetings. An altar guild society lady who yells, "Oh my GAWD!" over the mice. (How about a nice "eeek" instead?)

More disconcerting was that the head mouse, Hildegarde, led her mice in confession. You’ve got the double-whammy of misunderstanding the vocation of priesthood and group absolution in non-emergency situation. Yeah, I know they’re mice: very clearly personified mice. Which is why I squirmed at the conversation between Hildegarde and the mouse-mama whom she scolded for irresponsibly breeding (a mouse?). She then helped carry the babies which clearly disgusted Hildegarde: the little creatures being small, squirmy, pink and appalling.

To their credit, the mice are respectful and careful about the communion wafers, consuming the crumbs "reverently," but again, it’s a bit disconcerting with mice consuming possibly (it’s not clear) consecrated wine/wafer. Besides, Catholic wafers don’t leave crumbs, so it’s an unnecessary detail. (Can't we just stick with cookie crumbs?)

While camping in the graveyard, head mouse heads to her bed with Roderick, who up until now has been a lingering admirer. Do we really need to know the sleeping arrangements of mice who act like people? (Can't they just stick to sleeping in family groups like... say... a pack of mice?)

In the end, all mice make it back alive. Impressively, Hildegarde acts like her saintly predecessor and treats each mouse like an individual, all of whom deserve life. She even chooses to save her personal enemy in the end although she could have let her die in a horrible mouse trap.

The last scene is a charming one as she receives a special blessing for all the mice from Father during the Blessing of the Animals ceremony.

Your children may read this and associate the speaking, thinking mice’s behavior with… just mice. At the very least, I would not miss this opportunity to discuss the confession issue from the Church's perspective.

SAFETY RATING: 1 Flag

See: Catechism of the Catholic Church: Confession: 1484; 1497 general confession: 1483

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