Whittington and his Cat
The story revolves around a poor miller who has three sons. The youngest son, Whittington, sets out to make his fortune and eventually becomes a wealthy merchant. He marries the king's daughter and rises through the ranks of society. A cat that Whittington had brought with him from home plays a crucial role in his success. The cat catches mice that are destroying the king's grain stores, saving the kingdom from famine. As a reward for his service, the king grants Whittington a coat of arms featuring three cats. Whittington becomes a trusted advisor to the king and eventually inherits the throne. He rules wisely and justly, earning the respect and admiration of his people.
By James Baldwin · First published 1627 · Genre: Folktale, Children's Literature, Adventure · 3,278 words
First lines
I. THE CITY.
There was once a little boy whose name was Richard Whit'ting-ton; but everybody called him Dick. His father and mother had died when he was only a babe, and the people who had the care of him were very poor. Dick was not old enough to work, and so he had a hard time of it indeed. Sometimes he had no break-fast, and sometimes he had no dinner; and he was glad at any time to get a crust of bread or a drop of milk.
What this Textopian page supports
Whittington and his Cat is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Baldwin, dated 1627 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Baldwin
- Date: 1627 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Folktale, Children's Literature, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 3,278 words
- Structure: 1 section, 77 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Whittington and his Cat by James Baldwin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Whittington and his Cat?
- How does this short story by James Baldwin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Folktale first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Golden Goose by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- One Of Aesops Fables by James Baldwin
- The Poor Turkey Girl by Frank Hamilton Cushing
- The Owl And The Hare by Leo Tolstoy
- The Hen by Lord Dunsany
- The Hare And The Hedgehog by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Folktale — The story is a retelling of a traditional folktale about Dick Whittington, a legendary figure in English folklore.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is simple and moralistic, aimed at young readers with themes of perseverance and fortune.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey to London and a sea voyage, elements typical of adventure stories.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, referencing real places and historical figures like King Henry V.
Tags
Fable · Animal Story · Moral Tale · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Short Story · English Literature · 17th Century Literature · Picaresque Narrative · Comedy of Manners · Allegory