King of the Cats, retold by Paul Galdone, is an entertaining kid's book read aloud for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school ages (and adults still young at heart), a spooky, scary story, great for the Halloween season.
Parents and teachers, join me here at The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for daily read alouds in the classroom, at bedtime, or anytime!
Follow The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for a classic children's library.
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Parents and teachers, join me here at The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for daily read alouds in the classroom, at bedtime, or anytime!
Follow The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for a classic children's library.
#kidsbooksreadaloud #readaloud #readaloudbooksforchildren
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LearningTranscript
00:00King of the Cats.
00:28Story told and illustrated by Paul Galdone.
00:35One October evening, the gravedigger's wife was sitting by the fireside with her big black
00:41cat Old Tom.
00:43They were waiting for the gravedigger to come home.
00:49They waited and they waited, but still he didn't come.
00:57At last he came rushing in, and as he came he called,
01:02Who's Tom Tildrum?
01:05He said it in such a wild way that both his wife and his cat stared at him in fright.
01:12Why, what's the matter, said his wife, and why do you want to know who Tom Tildrum is?
01:21Oh, I've had such an adventure, said the gravedigger.
01:29I was digging away at old Mr. Fordyce's grave, when I suppose I must have dropped asleep.
01:37I only woke up when I heard a cat's meow.
01:46Said old Tom in answer, Yes, just like that, said the gravedigger.
01:52So I looked over the edge of the grave, and what do you think I saw?
01:58Now how can I tell, said his wife.
02:01Why nine black cats, all like our friend Tom here.
02:10All of them had white spots on their chest, and what do you think they were carrying?
02:15Why, a small coffin, covered with a velvet paw.
02:20On the paw was a small coronet of gold, and at every third step they took, they cried
02:26all together, Meow.
02:34Said old Tom again, Yes, just like that, said the gravedigger, and as they came nearer and
02:42nearer to me, I could see them more distinctly because their eyes shone with a sort of green
02:47light.
02:49The biggest cat of all was walking in front, and he looked for all the world like, Suddenly
02:55the gravedigger stopped talking.
03:01Just look at our Tom, how he's looking at me, said the gravedigger.
03:06You'd think he knew all I was saying.
03:09Go on, go on, said his wife, never mind old Tom.
03:15Well, as I was a saying, the nine cats came toward me slowly and solemnly, and at every
03:25third step they all cried together, Meow, said old Tom again, Yes, just like that, said
03:34the gravedigger.
03:40The cats came on and on until they stood right opposite Mr. Fordyce's grave where I was.
03:47Then they all stood still and looked straight at me.
03:50I did feel strange that I did.
03:57But look at old Tom, said the gravedigger, he's looking at me just like they did.
04:03Go on, go on, said his wife, never mind old Tom.
04:08Where was I, said the gravedigger, oh yes, there they all stood, still looking at me,
04:15when the one that wasn't carrying the coffin came forward, staring straight at me, he said
04:21to me, yes, I tell you, he said to me in a squeaky voice, Tell Tom Tildrum that Tim Toldrum's
04:32dead.
04:37And that's why I ask you if you knew who Tom Tildrum was, for how can I tell Tom Tildrum
04:43that Tim Toldrum's dead if I don't know who Tom Tildrum is?
04:51Look at old Tom, look at old Tom, screamed the gravedigger's wife, and well he might
04:57look, for Tom was swelling, and Tom was staring, and at last Tom shrieked out, What?
05:06Old Tim is dead, then I, Tom Tildrum, am king of the cats.
05:16And old Tom rushed up the chimney and was never seen again.
05:27I hope you enjoyed that story.
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05:33to check out all the other stories that are already uploaded.
05:36Thank you so much for watching.