The Ship's Cat facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Richard Adams |
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| Original title | The Adventures & Brave Deeds Of The Ship's Cat On The Spanish Maine: Together With The Most Lamentable Losse Of The Alcestis & Triumphant Firing Of The Port Of Chagres |
| Illustrator | Alan Aldridge |
| Cover artist | Alan Aldridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Published | 1977 |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape (UK), Alfred A. Knopf (US) |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 978-0-224-01441-0 (first edition, UK) |
The Ship's Cat is a fun children's book from 1977. It's a long poem, also called a narrative poem, written by Richard Adams. The amazing pictures were drawn by Alan Aldridge. This book, first published by Jonathan Cape, tells the exciting story of a brave cat. This cat acts like a human (that's called anthropomorphic) and lives during the Elizabethan times on a ship.
Contents
The Ship's Cat Story
The book is about a special ship's cat. Everyone just calls him "Cat" or "Ship's Cat." He is a very brave crew member on an English ship named Alcestis. This ship is a privateer, which means it's a private ship allowed to attack enemy ships.
Cat's Capture and Escape
One day, Spanish sailors attack the Alcestis. They capture the ship and all its crew. The Spanish take everyone to a port in Panama called Chagres. The brave cat is also captured and put in prison.
But the story doesn't end there! The daughter of the prison guard helps the cat. She frees him and puts him to work in the officer's kitchen. The cat waits patiently for the perfect chance to free his shipmates.
A Clever Plan
His chance comes on Saint Philip's Day. The prison guard and his friends celebrate this day. They drink a lot and become very unaware of what's happening around them. This is the cat's moment!
The cat quietly frees his shipmates from their cells. Together, they manage to steal a ship. Their plan is to sail all the way back to England.
A Surprise Discovery
Soon, the prison guard and his friends realize what has happened. They chase after the cat and his crew. But then, they come across Sir Francis Drake. He is just starting his famous trip to sail around the world.
The cat and his crew are now safe from their pursuers. The cat then reveals an amazing secret to the crew. The ship they stole is full of treasure! Everyone is overjoyed.
Hero's Welcome Home
The book ends with the crew finally returning home. Queen Elizabeth I herself honors the cat. She knights him for his incredible bravery and cleverness.
