Short Stories » The Great Cat's Nursery

The Great Cat's Nursery - Page 1 of 6

A HARSH and hateful cry of a sudden broke the peace of a midsummer night upon the creek called Bear-runs-in-the- Lodge. It told many things to the Red hunter, who, though the hour was late, still sat beside the dying camp-fire, pulling away at his long-stemmed pipe.

"Ugh!" he muttered, as he turned his head in the direction of the deep woods and listened attentively. The great cat's scream was not repeated. The hunter resumed his former attitude and continued to smoke.

The night was sultry and threatened storm, and all creatures, especially the fiercer wild animals, become nervous and irritable when thunder is in the air. Yet this fact did not fully explain to his mind Igmutanka's woman-like, almost hysterical complaint.

Having finished his smoke, he emptied the ashes out of the bowl of the pipe and laid it against the teepee-pole at his back. 'Ugh!" the hunter once more muttered to himself, this time with a certain complacency. ' I will find your little ones tomorrow! That is what you fear."

The Bear-runs-in-the-Lodge is a deep and winding stream, a tributary of the Smoking Earth River, away up at the southern end of the Bad Lands. It is, or was then, an ideal home of wild game, and a resort for the wild hunters, both four - footed and human. Just here the stream, dammed of many beaver, widens its timbered bottoms, while its high banks and the rough country beyond are studded with dwarf pines and gullied here and there with canon-like dry creeks.

Here the silvertip held supreme sway over all animals, barring an occasional contest with the mountain lion and with the buffalo bull upon the adjoining plains. It is true that these two were as often victorious as he of the big claws and sharp incisors, yet he remained the terror of that region, for he alone takes every opportunity to fight and is reckless in his courage, while other chiefs of the Wild Land prefer to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Igmutanka, the puma mother, had taken her leave of her two little tawny babes about the middle of the afternoon. The last bone of the buffalo calf which she had brought home from her last hunt had been served for dinner. Polished clean by her sharp teeth, it lay in the den for the kittens to play with. Her mate had left her early on that former hunt, and had not returned. She was very nervous about it, for already she feared the worst.

Since she came to Bear-runs they had been together, and their chance acquaintance had become a love affair, and finally they had chosen and made a home for themselves. That was a home indeed ! Wildness, mystery, and beauty combined in its outlook and satisfied every craving of the savage pair. They could scarcely say that it was quiet; for while they were unassuming enough and willing to mind their own affairs, Wild Land is always noisy, and the hubbub of the wild people quite as great in its way as that of the city of man.

The stream was dammed so often that Igmu did not have to jump it. The water- worn cliffs, arching and overhanging every turn of the creek, were dark with pines and cedars. Since her babies came she had not ventured upon any long hunts, although ordinarily she was the more successful of the two.

Now Igtin was gone and she was very hungry. She must go out to get meat. So, after admonishing her babies to be still during her absence, and not to come out of their den when Shunktokecha, the wolf, should invite them to do so, she went away.

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The Great Cat'S Nursery - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

The cats learned that sharing and helping each other make for a happy and joyful community.

The Great Cat'S Nursery - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

Sometimes, what we perceive as chaos can actually be the start of a beautiful and valuable discovery.

The Great Cat'S Nursery - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

In "The Great Cat's Nursery," children learn the importance of kindness and helping others, as shown by the story of the cat who takes care of abandoned kittens with love and compassion.

3 Fun Facts

• The nursery is a magical place where baby animals, not just cats, are taken care of and taught important life skills.
• Every baby animal in the nursery has a sparkly colored star that helps the Head Cat keep track of them and their progress.
• The kittens in the nursery learned how to land gracefully on their paws by practicing their jumps from fluffy clouds.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What did the cats in the story decide to do to take care of the kittens?
• How did the little kittens feel when they were surrounded by the older cats?
• Who decided to stay behind and watch after the kittens while the other cats went hunting?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What did the cats in the story do to help their owner with the kittens?
• How did the owner feel about the cats' efforts in taking care of the kittens?
• What lesson can be learned from the way the cats worked together to care for the kittens?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• What did the Great Cat wish to create for the young animals, and why was it considered important?
• How did the different animal parents react to the idea of the Great Cat's nursery, and what impact did this have on the initiative?
• Describe the challenges faced by the Great Cat in establishing the nursery and how these were overcome in the story.