Moppy's Wild Independence

The Summer Book

Moppy's development from dependent kitten to successful hunter unsettles Sophia's wish for a companion who belongs to her.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Bottle-Fed Kitten A Bottle-Fed Kitten from "The Summer Book". A Bottle-Fed Kitten Dependence begins The tiny kitten needs milk from a nipple, and the family uses Sophia's old baby bottle.

A Bottle-Fed Kitten from "The Summer Book". A Bottle-Fed Kitten Dependence begins The tiny kitten needs milk from a nipple, and the family uses Sophia's old baby bottle.

A Bottle-Fed Kitten Dependence begins The tiny kitten needs milk from a nipple, and the family uses Sophia's old baby bottle. He sleeps close to the family before beginning to choose his own spaces. Difference takes shape As soon as he can move freely, he leaves Sophia's cottage for the dish box. His independence grows faster than Sophia's understanding of it.

The Dish Box Refuge The Dish Box Refuge from "The Summer Book". The Dish Box Refuge Choosing distance Moppy sleeps under the bed in the box for dirty dishes and ignores Sophia's efforts to make him comfortable elsewhere.

The Dish Box Refuge from "The Summer Book". The Dish Box Refuge Choosing distance Moppy sleeps under the bed in the box for dirty dishes and ignores Sophia's efforts to make him comfortable elsewhere.

The Dish Box Refuge Choosing distance Moppy sleeps under the bed in the box for dirty dishes and ignores Sophia's efforts to make him comfortable elsewhere. His behavior makes the family wash dishes more often. An animal's own terms The cat's preference is practical and unmistakable. He cannot be persuaded into affection simply because Sophia wants it.

The First Hunt The First Hunt from "The Summer Book". The First Hunt A new life outdoors Moppy begins spending nights in the woods and returns with a dead bird.

The First Hunt from "The Summer Book". The First Hunt A new life outdoors Moppy begins spending nights in the woods and returns with a dead bird.

The First Hunt A new life outdoors Moppy begins spending nights in the woods and returns with a dead bird. His hunting marks a change from kittenish dependence to animal competence. Sophia confronts instinct She sees murder where Grandmother sees a cat behaving naturally. The difference becomes a lasting source of anger between child and animal.

Hidden Prey Hidden Prey from "The Summer Book". Hidden Prey The evidence moves out of sight Moppy begins concealing his kills under the house.

Hidden Prey The evidence moves out of sight Moppy begins concealing his kills under the house. Grandmother finds a row of picked-clean bird skeletons beneath the floorboards. Independence without approval The hidden cache shows that Moppy has not stopped hunting; he has simply escaped the family's scrutiny. Even Grandmother withdraws from him, calling him sly.

A Wild Cat at Peace A Wild Cat at Peace from "The Summer Book". A Wild Cat at Peace The island suits him Moppy's granite-colored body moves through grass and scrub, and he hunts, washes, and sleeps without sharing his life…

A Wild Cat at Peace from "The Summer Book". A Wild Cat at Peace The island suits him Moppy's granite-colored body moves through grass and scrub, and he hunts, washes, and sleeps without sharing his life…

A Wild Cat at Peace The island suits him Moppy's granite-colored body moves through grass and scrub, and he hunts, washes, and sleeps without sharing his life with the family. He appears wholly at ease. Affection changes shape Sophia's wish to have him back shows that she values this particular, difficult cat. His wildness is not a flaw that love has to cure.

early summer, when Moppy first arrives

the first weeks after Moppy moves indoors

early summer, after Moppy's first night away

later in summer, after the daily arguments

late summer, before the storm that prompts the exchange