Cat Knit

Demonstrating a remarkable range of expressions for a moody feline, Cat is the contented pet and longtime friend of Girl. When Girl notices a sale at a yarn shop, she brings home a ball, which quickly becomes Cat’s new friend, Yarn. Cat and Yarn enjoy many activities together, like reading, sledding, and building snowmen, but then “Girl also wanted to to play with Yarn.” Unfortunately for Cat, when Girl “plays” with Yarn, she knits Yarn into a sweater for Cat. Cat is very unhappy with the change, and in anger, he marches out into the snow to find a way to ditch Yarn. Upon successfully peeling Yarn off, however, Cat realizes that he’s cold out in the snow without his old friend. That’s when Grant makes a masterful observation that applies literally to Cat’s situation yet offers an equally wise figurative lesson for readers: “Warming up to something new takes time.” Demonstrating his subtle wit—observant readers will notice that Girl has sketched a knit cap and mittens to accompany Cat’s new sweater—Grant knits a unique tale from a stereotypical relationship. Even the names of Cat, Yarn, and Girl, while seemingly defaults, feel intentional and fitting in this humorous tale.