First published 1990
A poor Japanese artist struggles to make ends meet when a small cat arrives at his doorstep. The artist can barely afford to feed himself, yet he takes in the humble creature. The cat displays remarkable devotion to her new master, watching quietly as he works on his paintings and sculptures. Through her gentle presence and unwavering loyalty, the cat begins to change the artist's circumstances. What starts as another mouth to feed becomes something far more precious. The artist discovers that sometimes the smallest acts of compassion can unlock the greatest rewards. As the cat's humility mirrors his own quiet dedication to his craft, the artist finds that good fortune follows those who open their hearts to others. This is a story about how love between unlikely companions can transform both giver and receiver in unexpected ways.
Genres: fiction, art, animals, 20th-century, cats, japan
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, unlikely-companions
Setting: Japan
Period: 20th-century
72 pages · Paperback · Aladdin Paperbacks