Day 26 Soldiers on Parade

In my class, we have been reading a great story called The Cat Who Became a Poet.

This summary is from here

This tale features an ordinary cat who captures and eats a poetry-composing mouse. Upon awakening from his next nap, the cat discovers to his annoyance that he has now become a poet, and nothing in his world looks the same. He sees pictures in his head and the world has become a mixture of real and dreams. He consults the local witch for help. When she hears him speak in poems, she declares it is too late. "The poetry has got in to your blood and you're stuck with it for the rest of your life," she says. The cat is discouragedBut shortly thereafter, the dog Max chases him up a tree. The cat wants to hiss and spit at him, but out of his mouth comes a poem instead. He figuratively refers to the dog firing his cannon (barking) with his white soldiers on parade (teeth!). The dog is quite enamored with this poetic and colorful portrayal of himself and offers to leave the cat in piece if he can only come and hear his poem sometimes. The cat is amazed that the dog found the poem complementary (he meant it to insult!) and realizes, "Poetry is tricky stuff and can be taken two ways!" Perhaps being a poetic cat isn't so bad after all!

My students have really enjoyed the poetry units we have done and so they enjoyed the poetry aspects of this story. It is so fun to discuss and dig for meaning in poetry with them.



Tonight I came across this dog in a vehicle. He was barking and barking and barking. I think he's friends with our neighbor's dogs.

This dog reminded me of our discussions today. This poem, from the story, is dedicated to all those barking dogs out there:

Colonel Dog fires his cannon

And puts his white soldiers on parade.

He guards the house from cats, burglars

And any threat of peacefulness.