- Chinese title: 小黑貓不想被剪蛋蛋
- Author: Cheng-Yao, Sha (Kumoyama)
- Publisher: A Book A Year
- Publication date: July 16, 2024
- Edition: 1st
- Language: Traditional Chinese
- Print length: 320 pages
- ISBN: 9789869736626
- Genre: Novel, Fiction, Animal Writing
- Style: Humor, Heart Warming
- Recommend : adult/ teen reader
- Contact: https://ip.taicca.tw/ip/show.do?ip_id=1985
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 grew and had to face his fate. An old cat in the human family tells him that if he wants to be a family member with humans, his balls have to be cut off. The black kitten cannot help but wonder: “Why must I get hurt to become a family member?”
The little black cat chooses to escape from the vet and start his adventure in the city. He meets different city animals. For example, crested myna (a kind of black bird), semi-stray cats (cats that live on the street and have a good relationship with humans), and totally wild cats. These animals share their thoughts and opinions about pet neutering. At 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 the writer’s observation of street cats and participation in a 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 thing we value most?”
Awards and Promotion
- 2022: Grant for Young Writer, Ministry of Culture.
- 2025: Taipei International Book Exhibition, promotion activity (National Museum of Taiwan Literature, D306), “Cats and Their Families—A Dialogue Between Comics and Stories?”
- 2025: Recommended by TAICCA, Ministry of Culture, to the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Guadalajara International Book Fair ( TAICCA recommended book list: https://www.taicca.tw/latest_news/plan_bulletin/detail/353).
Outline
1.Little Black Cat Does Not Want to Lose His "Purls"
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. However, an old cat tells him that if he wants to be a family member with humans, 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 a City Bird Cut the "Purls"?
A downpour comes, and the little black cat feels hungry and cold. His fur is not shiny and adorable anymore. When the little black cat crawled under a car, he met a crested myna (a kind of black bird). The myna searches for 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 the myna and the little black cat to the “Court of Owl” and ask the smartest bird to make a decision.
3.Does a Semi-Stray Cat Cut the "Purls"?
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 standing: to cooperate with humans and to become a 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 a Pure Wild Cat Cut the "Purls"?
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. The little black cat understands that balls are a symbol of strength among wild cats through the teaching of the “Big Claw”. However, he also begins to question: “Is it right to fight and take away others' purls, just to keep his own?”
5.Does a Foster Cat Cafe Cut the "Purls"?
The one who saved the little black cat was a staff member 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 the family with humans without losing his purls.
Features
- The rhythm of the novel is light, lovely, and heart-warming.
- Cats and city animals are based on the writer's own observation and experience of participating in a civic animal helping group for 14 years.
- The story does not assume a standard answer to pet neutering, but leads 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.”
