I Was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Philip Pullman |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's, Fantasy |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
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Publication date
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1 April 1999 |
| Pages | 175 |
| ISBN | 978-0-385-40979-7 |
| OCLC | 57378478 |
I Was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers is a children's book written by the British author Philip Pullman. It was published in 1999. This fantasy novel tells the story of a mysterious boy who claims he used to be a rat.
Contents
Story Summary
Roger's Arrival
One evening, a kind old couple named Bob and Joan get a surprise knock at their door. Bob is a cobbler, and Joan is a washerwoman. When Bob opens the door, he sees a small boy. The boy is wearing a torn uniform, like a young servant's outfit.
When asked who he is, the boy gives a very strange answer: "I was a rat." Bob and Joan do not have any children. They decide to take care of the boy. They give him food and a warm bed.
Learning and Discoveries
At first, the boy finds it hard to eat with a spoon. He also tears his sheets and blankets into strips. But Bob and Joan are very patient with him. The boy learns quickly and tries hard to please them.
They decide to call him "Roger." This is the name they would have given their own son. One day, Roger sees a picture of Princess Aurelia in the newspaper. She is the prince's fiancée. Roger seems to know her and calls her 'Mary Jane'.
Searching for Roger's Home
Bob and Joan want to find Roger's real home. They take him to the City Hall. An official there says no children are lost in the city. The official then notices Roger has eaten a pencil!
They try other places like the orphanage, the police station, and the hospital. But no one can help them find out where Roger came from.
The Philosopher Royal's Tests
News about Roger reaches the Philosopher Royal. This important person takes Roger to the palace for special tests. Roger says he has "been here before." He also says the Prince will marry Mary Jane. But he is told the Prince will marry Princess Aurelia.
Roger runs away from the palace when he sees a cat. He has many adventures. Some people try to use him because he can eat almost anything. He can also squeeze through small spaces.
Life in the Sewers
Roger eventually escapes and lives in the city sewers. A local newspaper, The Daily Scourge, finds him. They write stories about "the monster of the sewers." They use Roger to sell more papers.
After a lot of public attention, Roger is caught. He is declared a danger to the city. A special court is set up to decide what will happen to him.
Princess Aurelia's Help
Bob and Joan learn that the court might decide Roger is not human. This could mean he would be put down. Joan remembers Roger calling Princess Aurelia "Mary Jane." She sees a picture of the Princess, who is now married to the Prince.
In a desperate move, Bob and Joan contact the Princess. When she hears about Roger and the name "Mary Jane," she agrees to help. Because of her help, Roger is saved. Bob and Joan are allowed to adopt him.
It turns out the Princess used to be a kitchen girl. She had a pet rat. She wished to go to a palace ball. Her wish came true, and her rat was magically turned into a page boy to go with her. This is why Roger is like a "Cinderella story."
TV Show Adaptation
Bringing the Book to Life
The book I Was a Rat! was made into a three-part TV show. It was simply called I Was a Rat. The show aired on the BBC in 2001.
The series was produced by Andy Rowley and directed by Laurie Lynd. Richard Carpenter wrote the TV script. He won a BAFTA award for his excellent work on the show.
