Pussy-cat Mew

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

The sounds and repetition are soothing. Great for very young kids who love animal voices and simple call-and-response.

Story Synopsis

“Pussy-cat Mew” is a tiny nursery rhyme built around animal sounds. The kitty calls out, the bird replies, and the verse plays like a gentle back-and-forth. Because it’s so short, it works beautifully as a bedtime ‘mini poem.’ You can read it once, then repeat it softly with your child making the mew or chirp.

Story Excerpt

“ Pussy - cat, Pussy - cat, where do you go? ” “ To London, to visit the palace, you know. ” “ Pussy - cat Mew, will you come back again? ” “ Oh yes! I’ll scamper with might and with main! ” Pussy - cat Mew set off on her way. She stepped very softly, and she felt bright and happy inside. The road was smooth under her paws. The sun warmed her back, and a gentle breeze brushed her whiskers. She went over hills and down into valleys. She padded through deep woods where soft green moss grew like a blanket. She skirted wide fields sprinkled with buttercups. And all the while, our brave little Pussy - cat trotted along, quick and light. But when she came near a village, Pussy - cat Mew grew careful. She knew some boys liked to play rough tricks. So she kept her eyes wide open and her ears listening. Sometimes she slipped through tall grass, quiet as a shadow. Once she even tiptoed past a dog lying asleep, his nose tucked down and his chest rising and falling. A little later, Pussy - cat Mew crossed a sweet clover field. The air smelled like honey. Suddenly, something right beside her gave a tiny, frightened squeak. Out darted a very small field - mouse, gray as a pebble and quick as a wink. Pussy - cat Mew’s eyes grew round. “ Now here, ” she thought, “ is a chance for my dinner. The one that runs fastest must surely be winner! ” Off she sprang. Over the clover they raced — mouse and cat, cat and mouse — zigzagging between the stems. Pussy -…

In One Glance