GOODYCAT

Since child neglect and abuse has been an issue in my life, many years ago I wrote a story called Goodycat. I only drew a few illustrations before I decided that the story, as written, was too dark for young children.The two drawings above, plus the illustration I sent to Maurice Sendak (below), are the only ones I’ve ever done in chalk.

GOODYCAT

There was a cat called Baddycat

Whose naughtiness was such,

His owners, the McMeanies,

Didn’t want him much.

He shredded the upholstery,

He scratched the bathroom door,

He scrambled up the curtains,

And piddled on the floor.

He chewed on things he shouldn’t,

He howled for half the night,

Made messes in the kitchen,

And gave the dog a fright.

They whacked him with the Herald,

They yelled and stomped their feet,

And locked him in the basement

Without a bite to eat.

And still he misbehaved,

So when his fleas were found

In everybody’s blankets,

They dragged him to the pound.

“You’re nothing but a nuisance!”

The family cried with scorn

And left him in a cage,

Feeling quite forlorn.

He cried himself to sleep—

He didn’t mind the noise—

And woke up in a box

Among some kitty toys.

His new home was a marvel,

Full of smiles and pats.

He soon began to think himself

The luckiest of cats.

He scratched his fuzzy post,

And no one ever hollered.

He used his private door,

Where no one ever followed.

And when he wished to climb,

He had his pick of trees.

He often wore his collar—

And hadn’t many fleas.

He piddled in his box,

He slept the whole night through,

And gnawed his catnip mouse

When in the mood to chew.

His family the McKindleys,

Were pleased as pleased could be

That he was such a Goodycat,

And frankly, so was he!

I intended the illustrations to provide a subtext, showing that Goodycat was neglected—that his original owners forgot to feed him, change his litter box, or provide for any of the natural needs of a cat.