Kater Mikesch facts for kids

Kater Mikesch is a beloved children's story about a talking cat. It was first written in the 1930s by Josef Lada, a Czech author. Later, a German writer named Otfried Preußler retold the story. He even won an award for it in 1963 called the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis. In 1964, the story became a German children's television series. It was brought to life by the famous Augsburger Puppenkiste marionette theatre company.

The Story of Kater Mikesch

Mikesch Learns to Speak

The story begins in a small village called Holleschitz. A cobbler named Pepik lives there with his grandmother. They have a tomcat named Mikesch. Pepik and Mikesch become very good friends. Pepik teaches Mikesch to speak, and Mikesch learns quickly!

Many people in Holleschitz are amazed by the polite and friendly talking cat. They quickly grow to love him. The cobbler makes Mikesch a special pair of boots. A cuttler also makes him a garment because Mikesch helped him.

Mikesch's Animal Friends

Besides Mikesch, Pepik's grandmother also owns a dog named Sultan and a pig named Paschik. Mikesch even teaches Paschik the pig how to speak!

There's also a fierce ramgoat named Bobesch. He lives with the local shepherd. The shepherd wants to sell Bobesch at the market. But Pepik saves him by teaching Bobesch to speak too. Bobesch promises the shepherd he will behave. Soon, Paschik, Bobesch, and Mikesch all become great friends.

Mikesch's Big Adventure

One day, Mikesch accidentally breaks his grandmother's cream pot. He feels very guilty and is scared of her reaction. So, he decides to run away from home. Mikesch goes out into the world to find work.

He finds a job with a circus called Klutzki. Mikesch works hard and earns a lot of money. He buys a new cream pot for his grandmother. He also gets many presents for his friends.

Return Home and New Friends

Finally, Mikesch returns home. He meets Maunzerle, another cat who now lives with the cobbler's family. Maunzerle has also learned to speak, but not as well as Mikesch. Everyone is happy to see Mikesch back home.