narrative essay about cats

Five Emotional and Existential Narratives About Cats

Words by sara santistevan.

What is it about cats that make people fall so obsessively in love with them? They’re cute, unpredictable enough to make for perfect meme fodder, and sensitive to human emotions, but I have another theory. A study conducted by Samuel Gosling with the University of Austin, Texas found that, compared to dog owners, cat owners are generally more artistic, intellectually curious, and emotional. So, perhaps cat owners are more easily able to see themselves in their furry companions and learn what it means to be human through the eyes of a cat.

All that said, is it really a surprise that cat lovers also make fantastic storytellers? If you’re still not convinced that cats can help us cope with our existential crises, indulge in these heartwarming and sometimes bittersweet stories that delve into the intricate lives of cats:

1. The Cat Who Saved Books

Here at Brink , we’re all about promoting literacy and the importance of storytelling as a force that can change the world. So, this quirky yet emotional novel, The Cat Who Saved Books, was practically a mandatory pick for this list.

The Cat Who Saved Books, by cat-fanatic author Sosuke Natsukawa, is a touching story that begins with the death of Rintaro’s grandfather. One day, while Rintaro is looking after the bookstore his grandfather left behind, a cantankerous cat named Tiger the Tabby enlists him on a mystical adventure to save abused and neglected books from their owners. Along the way, Rintaro learns how to process his grief and rely on his friends for support.

If you love Studio Ghibli films as much as I do, you’ll also be enchanted with the inspiring whimsy of The Cat Who Saved Books. True cat lovers will find the Tiger the Tabby’s grumpiness charming and familiar, and true bibliophiles will feel inspired to dust off all the books from their endless “to be read” shelf and start reading!

2. “My Cat is Sad”

“My Cat is Sad” is a tear-jerking poem featuring a glimpse inside the mind of a loving cat. This poem had a bit of a viral moment , which caught poet Spencer Madsen by complete surprise. 

Written in free verse in a style similar to prose, the true heart in this poem is in Madsen’s ability to imagine your average household cat as an alienated yet child-like being who longs to be with and like their human family members. I’d be lying if I said this poem didn’t convince me to give the cats I know little bits of human food every now and then to make them feel loved (as a consequence, my mom’s cat now occupies an empty chair at the table whenever anyone sits down to eat a meal). 

So, if I’ve convinced you to read this poem, make sure to read it when you have enough time to give your cat plenty of pets and treats after.

3. A Man and His Cat

We love comics here at F(r)iction , so it should come as no surprise that A Man and His Cat comes highly recommended! Originally published as a webcomic, this story is now available in physical form, and has since inspired a children’s picture book , a live action TV Drama , and a mobile puzzle game. 

A Man and His Cat is a heartwarming Japanese manga series following a widower who adopts the oldest cat at a pet store—an important reminder to us all that senior and disabled cats deserve love, too. 

Future volumes of this comic feature charming vignettes of the daily life of Kanda Fuyuki (the man) and Fukumaru (his cat). One of the cutest moments features Kanda thinking of a suitable name for his new cat. He eventually settles on “Fukumaru,” which roughly translates to “joy” or “blessing,” showing just how much happiness Fukumaru the cat has brought to the elderly man’s lonely life.

In other words, if this heartwarming story doesn’t make you want to run to your nearest shelter to adopt the most overlooked cat, then what will?

4. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the most recent installment in Dreamworks’s Puss in Boots series. To be completely honest, I was somewhat hesitant to watch a “children’s movie,” but after hearing the stellar reviews, I caved. Plus, who doesn’t like indulging in a little nostalgia once in a while?

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish follows the titular swordscat on an adventure to restore his eight lost lives by finding the legendary Wishing Star. Viewers are treated to a humorous montage of how Puss in Boots lost each of his previous lives in a fashion true to both the character and cats in general. Plus, in his search for the Wishing Star, Puss in Boots must confront what has to be the most compelling villain in a contemporary children’s movie: Death. As the unsettling big bad wolf emphatically says: “And I don’t mean it metaphorically or rhetorically or poetically or theoretically or any other fancy way. I’M DEATH. STRAIGHT UP!”

Who says video games can’t be a powerful vehicle for storytelling? Stray is an adventure video game about a cat who must find his way back home to his feline family after falling into a dystopian cyber-city with robot inhabitants. In this world, humans have long gone extinct due to an unnamed plague (something we surely don’t need to take as a warning…right?).

What I found most exciting in the days leading up to Stray’s release is that you play as one of the most adorable and intelligent cats ever! If that selling point alone isn’t enough to make you purchase this game immediately, you can also make him meow, take a nap, scratch furniture, and rub against the legs of humanoid robots! Also, I cried at least five times. 

With all that said, it shouldn’t be too surprising that Stray has a 10/10 rating on Steam. My only critique is that this game is far too short; I could play as a heroic cat exploring a cyberpunk city every day for the rest of my life!

If you’re looking to add more cat-themed works to your “to be read/watched” list, some honorable mentions for this list include Cat Poems , A Whisker Away , and I Am a Cat . Exploring these diverse narratives reveals not only what it might feel like to live as a cat, but also shines a light on the very human struggle to find meaning and companionship.

Sara Santistevan

Sara Santistevan was born in California, where she grew up around vivid storytellers. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a B.A. in Literature and Legal Studies. During her time at UCSC, Sara received the 2021 Reyna Grande Scholarship for her poetry on the Latina identity. Her forthcoming chapbook, The Root from Which Freedom Blossoms, explores how complicated mythologies, histories, and cultural norms can live on in the internal lives of marginalized individuals. In her free time, Sara enjoys visiting local cafes, petting all her neighborhood cats, and discovering the magic of the written word. 

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Essay on Cat

The cat is a domestic animal. Its scientific name is Felis catus. It is a small animal that belongs to the “Felidae” family. The cat is the only domesticated species of the family. Other members include tigers, panthers, etc. Cats are adorable animals and are petted by lots of people in the world. They are playful and spending time with them reduces stress and anxiety. In this essay about cats in English , their nature, behaviour and diet have been discussed.

Cat Paragraph in English

Cats are of three types- house cats, farm cats and feral cats. House cats are the cats we pet in our houses. Cats become good friends of humans. Unlike dogs, cats are not very active around their owners. However, they are good emotional companions to their owners. An essay on cats must emphasize the fact that cat-sitting has been proven to be therapeutic by many researchers. 

Any ‘my pet cat essay for Class 6’ must include a few details about the appearance of cats. Cats have very sweet features. It has two beautiful eyes, adorably tiny paws, sharp claws, and two perky ears which are very sensitive to sounds. It has a tiny body covered with smooth fur and it has a furry tail as well. Cats have an adorable face with a tiny nose, a big mouth and a few whiskers under its nose. Cats are generally white in colour but can also be brown, black, grey, cream or buff. 

Cats are omnivores. They eat vegetative items such as rice, milk, pulses, etc. as well as fish, meat, birds, mice, etc. Therefore, cats can feed on both types of food.

It is worth mentioning in this my pet cat essay for Class 6 that cats are considered sacred in several cultures such as the Japanese culture. Cats are often depicted as symbols of wit and honour. Several folklores include stories about the intelligence of cats. 

Apart from being clever and sweet, cats are also skilful hunters. They use their sharp, pointed nails and canines (teeth) to kill animals like snakes, mice and also small birds. Cats are also helpful to their owners as they protect the household from rats. Thus, from this cat essay, it can be said that cats are helpful pets as well.

However, any essay on cats would be incomplete without writing about their babies. A cat offspring is called a “kitten”. Cats are very protective and caring towards their kittens. They feed the kittens and raise them. Kittens are extremely tiny and adorable as well. Their eyes open sometime after they are born. Kittens are very energetic and they spend their time playing with each other and loving their parents. 

Now this cat essay will discuss the nature of cats. Cats are very lazy creatures. They usually spend their time napping and sleeping in warm places. Cats have a slow approach to their lives. They are not very energetic animals and they yawn very adorably whenever they are tired. Cats are very good friends to humans if they trust them. Cats like to sleep close to humans for their body warmth.

A Short My Pet Cat Essay for Class 6

In the following, my favourite pet cat essay, the cat’s behaviour, diet and appearance are discussed. Cat is a domestic animal. Cats are very beautiful and friendly animals. They are very good at hunting rats and snakes.

Cats have two eyes, a tiny nose, two perky ears, four legs and a tail. Their bodies are covered with smooth fur. They have whiskers under their nose. They have sharp claws and tiny paws. Cats are very lazy animals. They sleep a lot during the day. Cats are very good friends to humans. Cats eat both animals and vegetables. 

With that, this cat essay in English comes to its conclusion. This cat essay includes various information about cats in short. In a nutshell, this cat essay for kids discusses why cats are loved by many people.

My Pet Cat Essay for Class 1

Cats are domestic animals. They are small in size. Their bodies are covered with smooth fur. They have two mesmerizing eyes, two highly sensitive ears, four legs, whiskers under their nose and a long tail.

Cats are of three kinds, namely- farm cats, house cats and feral cats. House cats are petted by many people all across the globe. Cats are considered sacred in some traditions and cultures like the Japanese culture. Cats are very witty animals. They are very skilful hunters of rats, snakes, etc. Cats are very lazy pets, they sleep for long hours in a day and they are friendly to people they trust. Cats are not very social animals. Its offspring is called a “kitten”. Cats belong to the same family of tigers and panthers. Cats feed on both vegetables and animals and are, therefore, omnivores. Cats are very beautiful animals and they’re a favourite of many people.

With that, my pet animal cat essay comes to an end. In this essay on cats for class 1, their types, appearance, behaviour, diet and nature are discussed. These are some reasons why cats are adored by many.

FAQs on Cat Essay

1. What is a Cat’s Average Lifespan?

A cat’s average lifespan ranges from two to sixteen years. This is usually in the case of indoor cats as compared to street cats whose lifespan extends only up to 5 years.  The lifespan of a cat depends on the lifestyle they adapt to as well as the environmental hazards they are protected from. A person must contact a veterinarian and use the tips given to ensure that the cat is able to survive longer and lead a healthier lifestyle.

2. How Many Breeds of Cats are There on the Planet?

There are sixty recognized cat breeds in the world at present. Some of them are- Persian cats, Birman, Siberian cats, Siamese cats, British Shorthair, American Shorthair, etc. Some of the most common cat breeds known are Domestic shorthair, American shorthair, Domestic Longhair, Russian Blue, Bengal, Scottish Fold, etc. Different breeds have different characteristics in terms of their behaviour, personalities and needs. Some of them are reserved and short-tempered while some are extremely affectionate and loving. There are some breeds that are extremely independent while others are devoted to their owners.

3. How do Cats Clean Themselves?

The tongues of cats are scaly and they are excellent for cleaning the fur of cats. Cats keep their fur clean by licking their bodies. They are epitomes of cleanliness in terms of hygiene and hence use their tongue, paws and teeth to clean themselves clean. They use their rough/barbed tongues to lick, the paws for absorbing moisture and using it to clean off the dirt as well as their teeth to pick out the stubborn specks from their body.

4. How do we know that a cat is suffering from a health issue?

Cat owners must be very vigilant about the health of their cats by observing changes in their movements time and again. Once a cat reaches a certain age, it is obvious that their diet routine and their behaviour. For those cats suffering from major infections or diseases, regular checkups at the vet are mandatory. Once every two months is the recommended period of time to get a cat checked for health issues. Some symptoms like hiding, aggression towards people, loss of interest towards surroundings, neglect to groom or unusual vocalisation should be monitored.

5. What should domestic cats eat?

There is a difference in the diets of domesticated cats and street cats. Most of the time street cats are found to dig through garbage for leftover food for survival or catch smaller live animals as a part of their hunting tactics. In the case of domesticated cats, veterinarians usually suggest a compact diet that is healthy and to the liking of the cats. Regulating the food every day can prevent the cats from being either malnourished or overweight. Cats mostly prefer meat so boiled or cooked fish, chicken or red meat can be included plus cat food containing the same can also help in building their immune system and protect their heart, eyes and bowel movements. Raw meat and dairy products like cheese should be avoided as they are very harmful.

10 of the Best Short Stories about Cats

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Previously, we’ve offered our pick of classic cat poems , and that post proved so popular that in this post we’ve set ourselves the task of compiling a top ten list of the best cat stories.

The classic cat stories below range from the comical to the horrific, the tragic to the heart-warming – but they all have one thing in common, that they are purr-fect stories about cats (sorry, we’ll stop short of making a tail/tale pun here).

Edgar Allan Poe, ‘ The Black Cat ’.

One of Poe’s most unsettling tales, ‘The Black Cat’ actually contains two black cats – although the second may be a ghostly reincarnation of the first. An unstable narrator tells of how alcoholism and an increasing short temper led him to harm his pet black cat – with devastating results for everyone (not least the cat). To say any more than this would be to risk mentioning spoilers…

E. Nesbit, ‘ The Cat-hood of Maurice ’.

After he abuses the family pet, a young boy named Maurice gets a taste of what it’s like to live as a cat in this wonderful short story from one of English literature’s finest storytellers for young readers. The story is included in Nesbit’s 1912 collection The Magic World .

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, ‘ The Brazilian Cat ’.

Rudyard Kipling, ‘ The Cat that Walked by Himself ’.

One of Kipling’s Just So Stories (1902), and the longest tale in that classic collection of origin stories, ‘The Cat that Walked by Himself’, as the title suggests, describes the cat’s independent spirit and refusal to be fully tamed.

Saki, ‘ Tobermory ’.

Few short story writers have written so well about children and animals, but Hector Hugh Munro (1870-1914), better known as Saki, could write about both. ‘Tobermory’ is about a man who teaches a cat to talk , with disastrous results: the cat begins to tell the ‘respectable’ people at the party exactly what he thinks of them, and to gossip about everyone. Beware, though: cat-lovers may not like the ending.

P. G. Wodehouse, ‘Good-bye to All Cats’.

Fritz Leiber, ‘ Space-Time for Springers ’.

Leiber (1910-92), pioneering SF and fantasy author, was a cat person. He loved them, and wrote about them in a number of his short stories. This classic cat story centres on Gummitch, a remarkably clever ‘superkitten’ with an IQ of 160 and big ambitions.

Ever looked at your cat and thought it must be sitting there thinking how much cleverer than you it is, and how it could dominate the world if it could only talk? This story will strike a chord with you.

Italo Calvino, ‘ The Garden of Stubborn Cats ’.

A woman lives alone – except for all the cats. When a lawyer comes to try to draw up an offer to buy up her house so that the land can be developed, the cats attack the lawyer, tearing up the contract – stubbornly refusing to give up their territory. A story that is by turns amusing and unsettling.

Ursula Le Guin, ‘Schrödinger’s Cat’.

A strange and at times frustrating story – postmodern in many ways – by one of science fiction and fantasy’s most acclaimed authors, ‘Schrödinger’s Cat’ is concerned with something that preoccupied Joseph Conrad: the reality of our perceptions of the world, and the link between language or storytelling and ‘the real’.

Le Guin’s story is named after the famous thought-experiment designed to explain quantum physics – the cat in the box may be alive or dead, and until you open the box you have to act as though the cat is both alive and dead – and, sure enough, the story climaxes with such a speculation about a literal cat in a box.

Angela Carter, ‘Puss in Boots’.

Carter herself said that ‘Puss in Boots’ was ‘the first story that I wrote that was supposed to be really funny, out-and-out funny’. Told by Figaro, a cat living in Italy, the story fuses commedia dell’arte tropes with its genuinely laugh-out-loud feline narrative voice.

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3 thoughts on “10 of the Best Short Stories about Cats”

All excellent stories, but I would like to put in a word for Cissy, Clara and Muffin in Gahan Wilson’s short story ‘Best Friends.’ Only gradually does the reader realise the truth – or some of the truth about them…and it is disturbing, to say the very least.

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The cat (Felis catus) is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is often referred to as the domestic cat to distinguish it from the wild members of the family.

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Essay on Cat: Samples for Students in 100, 200, and 300 Words

• Updated on  
• Jan 29, 2024

Cats are adorable pets. They are furry, cute and cuddly and are loved by most people. Their silly acts make them a favourite among people. Cats have been around for thousands of years now it is now sometimes unclear if we have domesticated them or if is it the opposite that is true. There are so many aspects to cats. We have included several things related to cats in the samples of our essay on Cat. let’s have a look at the same!

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Cat in 100 words
• 2 Essay on Cat in 200 words
• 3 Essay on Cat in 300 words

Also Read:- Essay on Waste Management

Essay on Cat in 100 words

I have a pet cat and her name is Hermoine. She is white in color. We brought her home when she was only 8 weeks old kitten. Now, she is 1 year old. I love to play with her. We have a ball for her that she likes to chase around the house. Most of the time she is playing, she likes to eat and sleep otherwise. When I wake up in the morning, I look for Hermoine. And every night before going to bed, I pet her. I love my cat and now, she an important part of our lives. 

Also Read:- Essay on My Hobby

Essay on Cat in 200 words

I have a pet cat. His name is Snowbell and he is white in colour. We brought Snowbell home when he was around 8 weeks old and now, he is 1.5 years old. Most of the time he stays inside the house being lazy and sleeping. But he is also very energetic. He likes to chase a ball around the house that we brought for him. 

Pets are very lovable but having them brings a lot of responsibilities. We take very good care of Snowbell and feed him twice a day. We make sure that he gets enough nutrients in his meals. My sister bathes him twice a week. And then we brush his white fur. Cats also need a good bed to sleep in so, we brought a bed specifically for him. It’s so soft and he loves sleeping in it. Also, we made sure that he got all his vaccinations done on time. 

By nature, cats like to eat fish and other meats. And so, our Snowbell also loves fish and chicken. Whenever I am studying, Snowbell comes near me, curls up around my feet and lays there. Our whole family loves Snowbell, especially my mother. Snowbell is an important part of our family.

Also Read:- Essay on Athletics in 100, 200, 300 Words for Students

Essay on Cat in 300 words

My cat’s name is Stuart. He is a Maine Coon cat that is famous for its furry looks. Stuart is very dear to me. His walk is majestic, and he loves to hop around the house while carrying all his grace in his golden fur. Although very majestic, when he sleeps, his postures are funny to look at. 

Most of the time he stays at home playing with the ball we got him. But at times he also goes in the backyard for a stroll. He loves watching the birds from the window in my room. I have always wanted a pet cat and when my dad brought home Stuart, I was the happiest. He came home curdled like a white snowball. The cats of his breed live in cold climates, hence we have to ensure that our house is airconditioned properly, especially at night. Now, because they are habitual to such cold climates, the fur of Stuart is amazingly fluffy. We also have to take extra precautions so that Stuart doesn’t feel too much heat. 

Cats require a lot of attention and care. We take care of Stuart’s meals like we would of a baby. We feed him twice a day and make sure that he gets all the necessary nutrients through his meals. We also bathe him twice a week. Another important thing that we made sure of is that he got all his vaccinations done on time. And periodically we visit the vet to make sure that he is healthy. Although domesticated, he still likes to chase around birds. When some pigeons sit on the window, he chases them away. 

Everyone in our family love loves Stuart. We all take care of him and love him with all our hearts. He is an important member of our family.

Ans: I have a pet cat and her name is Hermoine. She is white in colour. We brought her home when she was only 8 weeks old kitten. Now, she is 1 year old. I love to play with her. We have a ball for her that she likes to chase around the house. Most of the time she is playing, other times she likes to eat and sleep. When I wake up in the morning, I look for Hermoine. And every night before going to bed, I pet her. I love my cat and now, she an important part of our lives. 

Ans: I have a pet cat. His name is Snowbell and he is white in colour. We brought Snowbell home when he was around 8 weeks old and now, he is 1.5 years old. Most of the time he stays inside the house being lazy and sleeping. But he is also very energetic. He likes to chase a ball around the house that we brought for him.  Pets are very lovable but having them brings a lot of responsibilities. We take very good care of Snowbell and feed him twice a day. We make sure that he gets enough nutrients in his meals. My sister bathes him twice a week. And then we brush his white fur. Cats also need a good bed to sleep in so, we brought a bed specifically for him. It’s so soft and he loves sleeping in it. Also, we made sure that he got all his vaccinations done on time.  By nature, cats like to eat fish and other meats. And so, our Snowbell also loves fish and chicken. Whenever I am studying, Snowbell comes near me, curls up around my feet and lays there. Our whole family loves Snowbell, especially my mother. Snowbell is an important part of our family.

Ans: A pet is an animal that is brought home and is taken care of as one of the family members.

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Writing Prompts About Cats

by Monica M. Clark | 31 comments

This weekend I saw the movie Gone Girl   and there was this cat. The cat was everywhere, witness to all the dysfunctional behavior happening in the house—and he obviously didn’t care.

Photo by zaimoku_woodpile (creative commons). Modified by The Write Practice.

I thought, wouldn’t it be cool to write a story from the perspective of a cat? So I developed this writing prompt about cats. My attempt is below, and I look forward to reading yours!

My Practice

Ooh, there she is. My human pillow. Hunched over with her face in her paws.

  Jump! She notices me for the first time when I join her on the couch, and gives me a pat. It’s not good enough.   She needs to stretch out so I can rest on her chest like I did when I was a kitten.

  I sniff her face—can’t ignore me now! It smells different from usual. Salty. Instead of petting me again, she wipes away wetness from her cheek. I help her by licking it.

  “Fandango!” she says with a small chuckle. “You’re a cat not a dog!”

  I don’t understand it when she says this. Dogs don’t help groom others. They can’t even groom themselves.

  I rest my paws on her lap. She scratches my head. I close my eyes and purr. When she moves to my neck, I snuggle into her belly.

  “Riiiing!”

  My eyes shoot open and I dart them around the room. I’m alert, but not scared. I don’t know what that noise is, but I’ve heard it before.

  “Hello,” she says. Her voice sounds strange—as if she has a hair ball. After that she says nothing for a while. I return to my position on her lap. Just as I’m about to fall asleep—

  “Why are you bothering to call me? Just to yell? Just to criticize me? My God Mom, I wish—“

  At this point I leap off the couch. Her body is tense, and I know it will be for a while. Soon she will be yelling at me for trying to play with her or attempting to get a better view from the TV table. She has given me the signal that it’s time for me to hide–it's the word “Mom.”

Random question today: Which version of Gone Girl was better—the book or the movie?

Take fifteen minutes to write a story from the perspective of an animal. When your time is up, share your practice in the comments section. And if you share, please be sure to give feedback to a few practices by other writers.

Monica M. Clark

Monica is a lawyer trying to knock out her first novel. She lives in D.C. but is still a New Yorker. You can follow her on her blog or on Twitter (@monicamclark).

31 Comments

From Leonard the mule:

I sure do wish that lady would hurry up and open my gate. The air is getting colder, so that means the fields are about to turn brown. I need to get out there, now, so I can eat whatever weeds and flowers are left before I’m stuck in the barn eating hay all winter.

Where is she?

Where IS she?

C’mon, c’mon.

C’mon! C’mon!! COME ON!!!

“Hee-haw! Hee-haw!! Hee-haww!!!”

Oo, that one got away from me a bit, but I’m really hungry. Maybe if I buck and stomp and kick up some dirt, she will see me and come out.

“Hee-haw!” *stomp* “Hee-haw!” *clop*

OK … *pant* … now I’m out of breath … *pant* … I’d better stand still for awhile and wait. She’ll be here soon. *gasp*

Of course, when I stand still, the flies are all over me. If I had a bigger tail, like Prancer over there, then I could shoo them better. Maybe if I lie down in the mud, then … hey wait!

Is that a blue coat I see coming this way from the front of the barn? Yes, yes, it is. It’s her!!

“Hee-haw!! Hee-haw!!!”

Oh, thank goodness she finally came out.

“Good morning, Leonard! How was your night?” she asks me.

Honey, you don’t even want to know. Just open the gate, and we won’t have to talk about it.

There we go, let me out into that beautiful dewy pasture. Ah, that’s better.

Hmm, I’ve been out here for quite a while, and these weeds don’t really taste all that good. Sure do wish I could just go in the barn and eat some hay.

Where is that lady?

As a horse owned, this is great!! Basically exactly what happens every day and night.

At least they’re predictable in that sense. 🙂

Even if they are less so in others, yeah. XD

Great note! I liked specially the part where it feels jelaous about Prancer’s tail. Well done!

Oh! I love it! Great job!

Well, you know what they say. The grass is always greener… I guess that even goes for mules! Cute way to illustrate a cliche.

Great story. Wish I had time to do one!

If I don’t get up on that counter – right now! – I’ll never be comfortable again. I’m just not feeling my round pillow. Or his lounge chair I claimed months ago. And his bed, while cushy, isn’t the same.

There’s just…something…about the counter.

It’s time to get to work.

I walk up to his ankles. He’s sitting on the couch staring at the box thing. Perfect. I was going to rub his legs to say, I’m just being cuddly and cute. But that thing makes him a zombie; I don’t want to draw attention to myself.

I walk, no, I stroll into the kitchen. Don’t mind me. I’m casual. Nothing funny going on here.

I make it to the other side of the counter. He can’t see me from here. Perfect.

I crouch down and judge the height of the counter. About four feet.

“Clyde, NO!”

Every muscle spasms and I take off to the bathroom. Damn, my tail must have swished too much, drawing his attention. Stupid thing. Why does it have to be so beautiful? I lie down and lick it for a while, mind racing.

I decide to scope out the scene. Maybe he’ll be so into his box, I can try again. Keeping my curse of a tail still, I scurry into the kitchen.

He’s standing at the counter. Why?

He places something on the far side of the counter. What is that? A lamp? Who puts lamps on a kitchen counter? And a box of books?

“Try to jump on there now where I can’t see you,” he says.

Oh, I get it. He’s blocking me. Hell no. I flash him my best, Let the best man win, look.

He catches on, saying, “Good luck,” before heading back to my couch.

While I’m cocky on the outside, my insides squirm. How do I get around this?

I stroll around the counter once, acting like I couldn’t care less. Then I head back to the bedroom to think. I make my way to the window. There’s an ant crawling across the carpet.

I normally wouldn’t think anything of it – ants don’t deserve my attention. However, an idea hits: he HATES bugs.

I’m his warning system. I can use it to my advantage. Why have I never thought of this before?

I run to the corner and stare at nothing. Crouching down and putting on my most intense face, I begin chattering my teeth.

“Oh God!” I hear footsteps clomping toward me.

Before he enters, I tear off under the bed. His bedroom has two doors: one to the living room and one to the bathroom. As he makes his way from the living room, I haul into the bathroom and around the corner into the kitchen.

“Clyde?” He’s confused. He should be – I don’t normally let bugs out of my sight. Sign of a good hunter.

I hear him looking around the bedroom for me. Perfect. I run around the counter, spring load my legs, and leap up onto the counter. The granite sucks; it’s hard and uncomfortable. Bliss.

Fun story! I like how you describe the details. Keep it going

Yep, they can be sneaky just like that. Cats just aren’t straight forward like dogs are.

nice story, Monica! Cat’s point of view are very fun to write through because they just do not care anything but themselves, LoL!

Here is mine attempt:

Darkness. No one is in the kitchen, except us. We can see a plate with four big chicken’s bones. There are a few rice grains around them.

We are waiting the signal from the scout next to the delicious treasure. He tracks all the remains of the food. Check everywhere. No humans around. He makes the signal to us.

The old general, who have done this mission since I was a little grub, takes a step forward. It is another routine procedure for him.

– Quickly! Eat all you can! Go! go! go!-

We run as fast as we can. I am one of the fastest thanks to the incredible smell of the treasure. I am the first who conquer the biggest chicken’s bone and I start to eat. It is even more delicious that I thought.

– Something is wrong…- says the scout next to me, but I don’t pay attention to him, neither my brothers and sisters. Everybody is enjoining the fest.

But suddenly, the lights are on. We are discovered by the humans, I’m frozen over the bone.

– RUUUUUUN!- screams the general.

Everybody is running in every direction, but I’m stood still, the sound of hits by the human disoriented me. I have no clue where to run.

BOOM! The hit is next to me. The scout is death above the human’s hand, I can see him bleeding, I can heard him screaming and I can do nothing.

The human’s hand is coming for me this time, and I just wait for the hit.

– MOOOOOVE, ROOCKIE! – the general runs to me and push me away. I’m falling down from the bone’s top and I can see how the human left nothing of the general.

There’s no time for tears. I must escape. I return to the gate in the wall.

———————–

A distant voice is coming from the bedroom.

– Honey! What’s going on in the kitchen? – says a Lady.

– Everything is all right!- answers the man, cleaning his hands -Damn roaches! –

For a while there I thought you were talking about cats, and I was mildly terrified when it got to the squishing part.

LoL! I played a little bit with that, hahaha! When I finished the exercise I realized that I actually cheated! hahaha! thanks for the comment

Very well done. I think I was actually holding my breath there for a minute! LOL

For real? hahaha! Great, then! I’m gladd you enjoy it

Views From My Cats

“My people call me Eli and say that I’m an orange kitty, well, I am orange bu there’s no kitty about it. You see, I am a protector cat, I watch out for my people. When they go outside I have already been there to make sure they’re safe.” Eli has plumped himself into the Kitty Loaf position between a blueberry bush and an old tree. The mulch that was nearly his color has dulled with exposure and his bright orange fur stands out in stark contrast.

“Yes, I am orange, but you must remember that the brightly colored things in nature are often the deadliest.” His eyes narrow as he calmly surveys the world in front of him. Small insects hop or crawl in the grass in before him. Eli clearly feels that he is the master of his domain. “Not even the foxes get near here.” Eli glances over with strength in his eyes at the yard where, a few years ago, he had slapped a fox and sent it running.

“Fiercely colored and fearsome in nat… ooooh! A leaf spinning!” In the blink of an eye, Eli is up and has pounced on the errant leaf. He is busy rolling over and over, locked in mortal battle with the crunchy oak leaf.

So enthralled with it is he that he misses the fact that he is being stalked. “Oh, Elijah, I am going to get you now.” The sly greenish yellow eyes of Spots, the girl and the youngest in the pride, are closely watching as Eli rolls and spins. Spots has never been that good at stalking, but the noises that her target is making hide the little crunches under her feet.

Spots, a gray tabby, flattens herself out as best she can, her tail twitches almost on its own accord. She creeps in closer underneath the broad leafed plants along the side of the house. She blended in nicely with the mulch and the shadows. “Oh, yes! I have you now, Eli!” She said in the faintest of whispers. Her chin was nearly on the ground, her back feet started to paddle against the soft turf, tension held every muscle taught. The distance was two, maybe three bounds and she would have him tackled.

Eli rolled onto his back clutching the leaf gently in his teeth, holding the edges with sharp claws as his hind feet shredded the tail edge of the leaf. “Ah! You fiendish leaf, I have you now! Ha! HA!” He growled at the helpless piece of foliage. He sank his long teeth through the fragile membrane and closed his eyes imagining his prey now gushing blood.

Spots sprang from under the vegetation where she hid. One bounce, two bounces, and … hearing something odd, Eli released the leaf and spun as quickly as he could onto his feet! The extra flab he carried under his tummy threatened to keep him rolling. A shadow in front of him had suddenly exploded in teeth and claws and flashing yellow eyes!

“Grraahahhghghgh!” Spots snarled as she impacted the much larger cat. Her momentum and his still trying to recover from the extra belly flab knocked him off of his feet.

Skill and years of experience took over, Eli spun in spite of the claws now sunk into his fur. He twisted his feet into position to kick against the soft belly of his attacker. The roll continued.

Spots dropped her body down onto Eli to thwart his kicking feet just in time. She then pressed her long fangs against Eli’s throat making Eli screech in shock.

In a blink the two rolled in separate directions. They landed on their feet. Eli’s eyes flashed in surprise and playfulness. “Ah haa! Spots! You may have gotten the drop on me this time, but you can’t keep up!” With that he turned and darted off.

Spots grinned wickedly, laughed, and then chased after Eli.

Adorable. My cat would do the same thing with a leaf.

Thank you! Thrilled that you enjoyed it

Terrific story. Love the visuals. Cats are such interesting creatures.

Here’s what i could do in-between clients today.

Looking into the floor length mirror I gasped in horror. My face, covered in whiskers and fur. I blinked to make sure it was me – I moved side to side and yes, it was still me. As I looked up from my office floor, the magnitude of my problem became very apparent. I was so small – I was a kitten. Now, most people would think that being a cute little kitten couldn’t be that bad, but when you are a high profile lawyer with clients, this was the proverbial end of the world.

“Well Katherine, how do you like your new look now?” Boomed the voice of James Cuttler. “I gave you a chance,” he said with a disgusting smirk on his face. “I told you to quit whining about ethics and take the case but no, not Miss Ethical. You made me do this to you.”

“Meow?” Wow, I couldn’t even talk. I backed up and looked around for a place to hide. He is so big! One foot and he could crush me. I meowed a few more times, each one taking me closer to crying. I thought those magic thingies always let you talk! I could think like a person, reason and comprehend, but not talk. I looked up and realized he could end me right now. He could chuck me out the 14th story window and I’d end up a splatter on the ground.

Just then the office door opened up and I heard a familiar voice. It was the night guard checking in before leaving. Sam always looked in on me. “Meow” I screamed! I saw him look at me and then heard James tell him I went for milk. Oh my God! Don’t believe him! “MEOW!”

Sam closed the door and left. Smiling, James came over and picked me up, opened the door and took me down the elevator. Once downstairs and outside he walked to the alley and put me on the ground. The noise was unbelievable, the flashing lights and vehicles passing by. He bent down and said one final thing. “Play nice with the dogie”. And then he was gone.

I didn’t look behind me as I felt the hair on my back stand up. Raw fear gripped me as I started to run for it. Only the thought of revenge kept me from giving up as I ran into the night. I would find someone to reverse the spell and then Senator Cuttler would get the lesson of his life. That is, if I lived through the night.

Totally enjoyed this. Would make a great short story.

Loved your story. Cheryl is correct. This would make a terrific short story. Thanks for sharing.

“On top.”, he says.”No. On top!”

I query him with my big doggie eyes, tail wagging, “Please?”.

“Jack,” (that’s my name) he says, “You’re too hot. No. On top.”

But I want under the blanket, “Please?!” I again plead with my eyes, staring, then a couple of coy blinks, then I start using my snout to nudge my way under the blanket as I wag my tail – again. (Humans are suckers for wagging tails!)

“No, Jack. On top! You’re too hot! And besides, you make the blanket stink.”

Stink? You think I stink? You should get a whiff of your own self!

I plead by moving closer and licking his face, tail still wagging – only faster, a grin on my face. “Jack, I love you too, but you’re too hot! You’re like a heater, dog.”(Heater? What is that?)

Humph! Looking at Dad, I attempt my saddest face complete with tail droop as I move to the other side of the chair and start pawing at the blanket – I want UNDER that blanket!

“No, Jack! On top, or you can go sleep with Jordan (he’s one of my human brothers).

But Dad, your chair is soooooo comfortable! I want to sleep with you.

“On top!”, he says again with a voice that means he’s serious as he tucks the blanket around himself, “Or go see Jordan!”

Big sigh. Bigger exhale ….

“Okay,” I think to myself as I circle around his lap 3 or 4 times making sure I step on that place that makes him grunt as I resolve myself to sleeping on top of the blanket. “but he’ll be asleep soon … “

Yes! They’re clever just like that! Good job.

So true. I’m still giggling. I particularly love the line: Stink? You think I stink? You should get a whiff of your own self. So like a cat.

From Fluffy’s standpoint:

My servants call me “Fluffy”. I despise that name, it is far too generic for me. The cat next door is named Hawthorne. I would much rather have a title like that. My servants abuse me. Not only did they give me the unfortunate title of “Fluffy”, they don’t appreciate everything I do for them. For example, the other day I was outside for many moons. I had to hunt to survive that terrible time. When my negligent Old Female servant opened the door, she screamed when I offered her a piece of my meal prior to telling me I was only gone for ten minutes. How dare she! If I wanted, I could leave them. I won’t, only because of the couch in the basement. I have done everything in my power to claim it. It took ten sacred urine baths until they relinquished it unto me. I suppose I should tell you about the horrendous conditions I have to put up with. The servant called John is in charge of cleaning my Dirt Box. Every day I must walk among my own faecal matter to relieve myself. I am forced to dirty my paws burying it, and I believe I am going to die of that Ebola disease servant Jenna always talks about. My servants also starve me. I eat my breakfast at 10:00 am. When I come back at 10:40, the bowl is half empty. They do not refill it. I starve until the bowl is filled again at 6:00pm. Humans do not understand how the feeding ritual works. The dominant cat eats half of his food. By the time he is done, the other half has a distinct older taste and needs to be freshened by new food. Until it is re-flavored, it is inedible. The same thing happens with my water. I drink half, and by that time some of my hair is floating in it. It is my servants’ job to remove the hair or give me a new bowl of water; they never do. There is one final thing I can tell you before I leave. It concerns the White Smelly Place.

I was doing fine, living under the porch. Really, just fine. During the day, the kids fed me Cheetos and bits of things. I’m good at turning up my nose at things I don’t like. It is lonely at night though, when the place is deserted and dark. Now and then I dine on a mouse who happens to get too close. So, you see, it isn’t bad. Well, tonight it began to rain, and, as an aside, I hate anything wet, unless I can drink it in tongue-laps from a puddle. Anyway, it’s raining and dark. This lady comes out on the porch and says it’s raining cats and dogs, and she calls to me. My name isn’t Here Kitty Kitty, but I get the gist. I’m hungry, so I trot out readily. She is there with fish, and I love, love, love fish. As I bend my head down and inhale the lovely aroma, I am grabbed and pushed into a large cardboard box, onto which she slams a lid. Yikes! I’m trapped. Now what? I’m now moving, but my legs are still. I extend my claws and scratch like my life depends on it, which I fear it most certainly does. We stop, and when I am through being jostled, she pulls off the lid. Ha! I have almost shredded that box to pieces. I am triumphant. It wouldn’t have held me much longer. We are inside in a strange place. I dart behind a sofa where she can’t reach me and I hunker down. I may have growled low, just a little. She calls me again and again, and even pushes a broom head in my direction. The nerve. I peek out to see she has put more beloved fish in a dish on the floor, next to a tongue-lap water dish. I am hungry, but so frightened. This may be warm and dry, but it is strange. She tells me this is my new home, and no more Cheetos for me, just fish and other things she says I will like, but I repeat: I am so frightened, the consummate Scaredy Cat. Will she care that I intend to spend the rest of my life behind this sofa? It took a week or so, but I did venture out and found her to be fine company. She has, however, done the unforgivable. I am now a house-bound cat. No outdoors, no digging in the dirt, no fleas, and no Cheetos. This comfort, however, comes with a price. I get bathed! Bathed! In water, mind you. You remember what I said about anything wet? She says all these things will make me live longer. With baths and a cat box, and no wind in my face, why would I want to live longer? You have an answer?

“Oh geez… Here we go again. Same routine, different night… Shut up in the washroom all day long with maybe ONE outside break. MAYBE. ONE. Yeah, yeah, I know all about it. Allergies. If mom and bro are allergic to my dander, then why the heck do they keep me around? Not that I mind the digs. Lord knows I have LOTS of places to climb.

“Here she comes. I can hear her shutting the basement door and the kid’s bedroom door so I can’t go in or upstairs. They’re so lame. Don’t they realize that’s exactly why I make a beeline up the stairs when they let me in the front door late at night? It’s funny really. Chasing me back down here’s probably the only exercise they get.

“The door’s opening.”

“Hey, Twitchy. You hungry?”

“Really? Routine part one… Act like I can’t wait to get a face-full of that stinky, fish-flavored muck. Check.

“Part two… Saunter down the hallway as if I’m totally content to spend ten minutes in their glorious presence. Check.

“Part three…

“No! I’ve had it with this whole same-act-different-day” stuff. I’m just going to ignore them for a few minutes while they’re turning off their brains and reoriented their attention to that stupid noise box. They’ll forget about me in three…two…one… Check!

“Tonight the game changes. Now what can I do? Got it! Hide! But where? They know all my special spots. They’d find me on one of the bookshelves. Or behind the stereo cabinet. Up in the window under the blinds? Naw. Tried that. Behind the cedar chest? Nope. Both ends exposed.

“Oh look! The old man left his camera case on the floor. Well I’ll be… It’s empty. There’s the camera up there on the desk. Hm… It’s almost zippered shut. I wonder if I can just…er…umph…suck in gut…tuck in tail… I did it! A nice tight squeeze. Pretty comfy, I gotta say.”

“Twitch, where’d you go?”

“I don’t see her anywhere, hon. Are you sure she came out here?”

“Twitchy. Kitty, kitty, kitty… (hachoo! sniffle) I’ll bet she’s still in the washroom.”

“She hasn’t been out today, better get her and put her out so she can run around for awhile before we turn in. ”

“Come help me find her. She might be up on top the vent again, and I can’t reach it.”

“Ahhhh… This foam interior is going to feel great on my claws. Stupid humans. I think they’re going to be busy for awhile. Purrrrrr….”

(Inspired by actual events. LOL We looked for her for a LONG time.)

Here’s what I wrote:

“Today, I’ll be meeting Brenda again; the female dalmatian of the Tijani family. Why they gave her that name I don’t know. And once, I asked, but got the meanest look from Brenda.

I sit culled next to Nina on the couch. Her heavily perfumed body rub against mine. I lick my paw to wipe off dirt that really isn’t there. Nina bends down to rub my fur. This time, it’s gentle and overly slow.

I know she’s not happy because her grandma died. I wish I could offer her the succour she needs. I push myself up from the cushion and snuggle close to her. She’s just like her husband; calm and gentle.

“Oh, Nutty, I miss her. I miss her so much. You miss her too. I guess,” she says, pulling me close.

Of course I don’t. The woman was a witch who battered me whenever the family was away. She took my meaty foods and usually would give me bones she’d ensured to rip the entire meat from.

Once, she knocked me off the couch, and yelled to everyone that it was taboo to allow dogs into the house. What was taboo was her bitching on a dog.

“They’re here. C’mon, Nutty.” Nina nudges me and rises to answer the bell. My heart skips.

Brenda is here.

I wish my paws could reach my head then I’ll brush my slightly ruffled fur.

Nina opens the door and….

My dog jaw drops.

I’m not astonished by the way Nina greets the Tijanis. I’m less fascinated by the good look of their five year old son who calls ‘Brenda’ to his side. I’m not jealous the animal rubs against him.

What keeps me stunned in my position is Brenda. Brenda. My Brenda; whom I’ve not seen for seven long months.

You’re wrong to think I’m stunned because she looks charming.

On the contrary, the Tijanis have replaced Brenda dog with a Brenda cat.”

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Articles About Cats: Top 5 Examples and 6 Prompts

Cats are cheeky pets that liven many people’s lives. See our articles about cats examples and prompts if you plan to write about these lovable creatures.

Fiora and Tariq are twin cats I found in a  makeshift fire pit at the side of the road when I was walking home from school one day. I heard meowing, saw something wriggling away from the small fire, and took the tiny bag to safety. Two sets of wide, panicked eyes met mine when I opened the bag, and it didn’t take me another second to decide to take these twin cats home, even if it meant facing my father’s wrath. 

I had misgivings about nurturing cats, mainly because my experience was limited to a friend’s hissing Himalayan feline that never wanted to be touched. But Fiora and Tariq grew into clingy cats, and now my grandmother has sole custody of the latter.

Cats are adorable pets that don’t need regular bathing or walking. Plus, they help their owners cope with depression. If you want to write about this topic, see our essays about depression .

5 Example Articles

1. domestic cats and their impacts on biodiversity: a blind spot in the application of nature conservation law by arie trouwborst, 2. why do we think cats are unfriendly by stephen dowling, 3. domestic cat by national geographic, 4. do hypoallergenic cats even exist 3 myths dispelled about cat allergies by susan hazel and julia henning, 5. is it okay to let your kitten cry by maria azzurra volpe, 1. cat care at home, 2. can aggressive cats be friendly, 3. understanding your cat’s behavior, 4. how to keep your cat happy and healthy, 5. the benefits of raising a cat, 6. famous cats.

“Notwithstanding this growing awareness of their negative impact on wildlife, domestic cats continue to inhabit a place that is, at best, on the periphery of international wildlife law. No doubt, there are political, sociological and psychological explanations for this regulatory oversight but the implications for wildlife conservation are profound.”

Because domestic cats have a negative impact on wildlife, Trouwborst et al. aim to identify various conservation laws to tackle their effects, including government authorities’ role in preserving wildlife. The authors delve into domestic cats’ impact on people, other species, and ecosystems. They also examine strategies to reduce its adverse effects, including vaccination, immunization, etc.

After reviewing the laws and their application, the researchers concluded two things. First, the government needs to enact and enforce regulations to eliminate, reduce, and prevent the threats posed by domestic cats. Second, the feasibility, scientific uncertainty, and interest of pet cats and owners greatly influence law enforcement.

“The cat that may be currently curled up on your sofa or glaring at you from its vantage point on top of the bookcase shares many of its instincts with that of its pre-domestic ancestors – the desire to hunt, to patrol territory, guarding it from other cat; they are much closer to their old selves than dogs. Our taming of cats has only partly removed them from the wild.”

Dowling compares clingy cats versus distant ones and notes their body language to identify their mood and emotions. Despite extended training, dogs, humans, and cats are still different and cannot be alike. 

He also mentions that cats’ gazes look unfriendly and scary compared to dogs because they don’t have the muscles to look gentle, but their slow, blinking stares express their love. In the end, he advises readers not to be disappointed if their cats don’t greet them. Their behavior of staring is a way to say they’re happy to see their owner.

“Thousands of years ago, these wildcats were likely drawn to human settlements and their plentiful mice and food scraps. People realized these rodent catchers were helpful to have around, and eventually the two species began living together. Later, people began to bring felines aboard ships as they traveled the world.”

This article dives into the history of how we have domestic cats, where they come from, how they reproduce, etc. According to their research, there are at least 45 domestic cat breeds today, with the Maine Coon being the largest and the Singapura from Singapore being the smallest. The author also notes other interesting information, such as cats mating and having an average of four kittens after 64 days.

Cats communicate with their owners through bunting (rubbing their faces) and swishing their tails. Domestic cats are carnivores, have a strong hunting instinct, and have excellent night vision.

Looking for more? Check out these essays about dogs .

“What we do know is that pet cats provide companionship and joy to many, and understanding the causes and treatment of pet allergy can only help both cats and humans.”

In this article, the authors dissect myths linked to hypoallergenic cats, examining their basis and if they are true. The first myth includes people allergic to cat hair and pointing out that it’s not the hair they are hypersensitive to but the substance in it. Second, the authors claim that there isn’t enough evidence for a hypoallergenic cat, only cats with less hair, like the Sphynx. Third, allergic people must give their cats away if it’s a life-threatening allergy, but if it’s just a mild one, there are ways to raise a cat. 

“… Just like babies, it is their own way of communicating with you. They may cry multiple times a day, for various reasons, and if you’re not a cat expert, it can be really hard to identify what’s behind their discomfort.”

Volpe’s article explains why kittens cry, according to veterinarians. When a kitten calls, they usually have physical needs such as wanting to eat or going to the potty. Crying also means they want their owners’ attention or are experiencing pain and discomfort.

It’s usual for kittens to cry at night, and they shouldn’t be ignored. Volpe includes methods to comfort and stop the kitten from crying and meet their needs, such as providing companionship and training.

6 Prompts for Articles About Cats

Dedicate your article to guiding cat owners on how they can care for their pets at home. You can divide your piece depending on where the owner lives, such as a condominium or a house. You can also use this prompt to answer the most basic questions a future cat owner should consider before adopting a cat. Write about cat characteristics, needs, and budget for expenses.

In your article, discuss the motives behind a cat’s erratic behaviors and if they can be altered. Present cases where cats become aggressive, and the reason they became this way to encourage patience and empathy. Include effective tips owners can do to handle and calm their cats. Remember to give detailed examples so that readers can follow the steps well. 

Cats sometimes bite and scratch people, bring their kills to their owners, knock and cuddle things, meow a lot, and run for no reason. Discuss the meaning of these odd cat behaviors in your article and why they do it. Ensure that you have supporting evidence from science or experts examining cats’ demeanors to assist owners in caring for their pets.

Devote your article to listing care tips every cat owner should know to ensure their cat stays healthy and happy. These pieces of advice should focus on the animal’s well-being and mental state, so they don’t get stressed and pose more problems to the owner. Discuss proper grooming practices, food, vitamins, toys, exercise, etc.

A small feline friend can be a joy and treasure in many ways. For this prompt, explain why cats are great pets, especially for first-time fur parents. Then, present the scientifically proven health benefits of raising a cat at home. You can also include emotional support cats that comfort their owners with mental health issues.

Create an entertaining article introducing the world’s most popular cats, whether they are real, fictional, or animated cats. Some great examples are Jim Davis ’ Garfield, Breakfast at Tiffany’s Orangey, and Shrek’s Puss in Boots. Describe how and why they became famous. 

For help editing your articles, we recommend using the best grammar checker . Our round-up profiles these tools and offers discounts.

Essays on Cat

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• How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

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Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

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Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

• Write a story about your first day of school.
• Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

• Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
• Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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