The Boy Who Drew Cats

Based on a Japanese Folktale

ONCE THERE WAS a boy named Joji who loved to draw. He grew up on a farm with lots of brothers and sisters. His siblings were a big help to their father and mother. But not Joji!

He did nothing for hours but draw in the dirt with a stick. And Joji drew just one thing.

Cats.

Cats, cats, and more cats. Small cats, big cats, thin cats, fat cats. Cats, cats, cats, cats, cats.

“Joji,” his father told him, “you must stop drawing all these cats! How will you ever be a farmer?”

“I’m sorry, Father. I’ll try to stop.”

And he did try. But whenever Joji saw one of the farm cats go by, he forgot about his chores and drew another cat. “Joji will never become a farmer,” his father said sadly.

“Maybe he could be a priest,” Joji’s mother replied. “Why don’t we take him to the temple?”

So they brought Joji to the village temple. The priest said, “I will gladly teach him.”

From then on, Joji lived at the temple. The priest gave him lessons in reading and writing. The other students worked hard at their writing. But not Joji! With his brush, ink, and rice paper, he did nothing for hours but draw. And Joji drew just one thing.

Cats.

Cats, cats, and more cats. Small cats, big cats, thin cats, fat cats. Cats, cats, cats, cats, cats.

“Joji,” the priest said, “you must stop drawing all these cats! How will you ever be a priest?”

“I’m sorry, honorable sir. I will try to stop.”