By Cheng Yao, Sha (Kumoyama)
14.7*21 cm
320 pages
100,000 words in traditional Chinese
Novel, animal writing, fiction
Publish in 2024/7
ISBN：9789869736626
Introduction
A newborn tiny black cat was abandoned on a stormy night and he was rescued by a human being. As time passed, the little black cat grows and has to face his fate. An old cat in the human family tells him if he wants to be a family member with human, his balls have to be cut off. The black kitten cannot help but wandering: “Why must I get hurt to become a family member?”
The little black cat chooses to escape from the vet and to start his adventure in the city. He meets different city animals. For examples, crested myna (a kind of black bird), semi-stray cat (cat lives on the street and has good relationship with human), totally wild cat. These animals share their thinking and opinion about pet neutering. In the end of the adventure the little black cat not only makes his decision, but also finds a perfect place to live.
The story is heart-warming and based on writer’s observation of street cats and participation of civic animal helping group. The story also leads readers to think: “What is the most valuable thing in your life?”, and “When we grow up, does it mean that we need to discard the most thing we value?”
Awards and Promotion
l 2022: Grant for Young Writer, Ministry of Culture.
l 2025: Taipei International Book Exhibition, promotion activity (National Museum of Taiwan Literature, D306), “Cats and Their Families—A Dialogue Between Comics and Stories?”
Outline
1.Little black cat does not want to lose his balls
A little black was abandoned by its mother at birth and nearly died. Fortunately, a human found him just in time. The little black cat appreciates the human’s help and wants to be a pet cat. However, an old cat tells him if he wants to be a family member with human, his balls have to be cut off. The little black cat does not want to lose his balls and escapes from the vet.
2. Does city bird cut the balls?
A downpour comes and the little black cat feels hungry and cold. His fur is not shiny and adorable any more. When the little black cat crawled under a car, he meets a crested myna (a kind of black bird). The myna searches food for the little black cat and they become friends. However, being friends with a cat is an unacceptable behavior in the eyes of other city birds. City birds catch myna and the little black cat to the “Court of Owl” and ask the smartest bird to make a decision.
3.Does semi-stray cat cut the balls?
The little black cat got through the trail of the “Court of Owl”. Now the little black cat meets with a “Street Cat Society”. The Godmother cat of the society welcomes him and explains their standings: to cooperate with humans and to become human’s pet voluntarily. The Godmother cat encourages the little black cat to accept his fate of losing his balls, but in the meantime the little black cat finds his mother, the “Big Claw.” The Big Claw invites the little black cat to join in the “Pure Wildcat Guerrilla” and promises him that he will become a true wild cat with balls.
4.Does pure wild cat cut the balls?
The "Pure Wildcat Guerrilla" was the most powerful stray cat team founded by the “Big Claw”. However, when the “Big Claw” left, the guerrilla fell apart. Now the “Big Claw” returns and wants to reclaim her authority with the little black cat. Through the teaching of the “Big Claw” the little black cat understands that balls are a symbol of strength among wild cats. However, he also begins to question: “Is it right to fight and take way other’s balls, just to keep his own?”
5.Does foster cat cafe cut the ball?
The one who saved the little black cat was a staff of a foster cat café. The manager of the café was able to understand and talk to cats. After listening to the little black cat’s worries, the manager finds a way for the little black cat to become a part of family with human without losing his balls.
Features
1.The rhythm of the novel is light, lovely and heart-warming.
2.Cats and city animals are based on writer’s own observation and experience of participating in civic animal helping group for 14 years.
3.The story does not assume a standard answer to pet neutering, but lead readers to think about the issue through questions.
Reader Feedback
The podcast channel “Zou Xin Shi” (走心事) mentioned in the program:
“This is the kind of book that makes you want to buy it just from seeing the title. The novel not only shows cats’ perspectives, but also keeps a picture book-like style. The author’s writing leads us into a fantastical feline world, filled with intriguing concepts, such as the Owl Court. The novel brings countless whimsical and fascinating ideas to life.”
