Junior Ranger Challenge -- Write a Story from a Cat's Eye View

Hello Ranger-in-Training,

Park rangers do a lot of research. We gather a lot of facts. But not everything was written down long ago. Sometimes we don't know all the answers so we make careful guesses.

We know that one room in Edgar Allan Poe's house, up on the third floor, had a stove (like a heater). Even though we can't prove it, we think Poe's wife Virginia slept here. She was sick and needed to stay warm.

We know the family had a cat named Catterina. Now it's your turn to make some careful guesses about what Catterina would have seen in the house.

Your friend,
Ranger Renee

 

Catterina was a calico cat, just like the one you see in this illustration.

NPS photo

 

Your Challenge: Write a Story from a Cat's Eye View

 

Directions

1. Imagine you are Catterina taking a stroll through Edgar Allan Poe's house.
2. On a piece of paper, write a story about what Catterina sees as she walks through the rooms. Use the facts below to guide your story.

Looking for ideas? Check out some examples in the Junior Ranger Challenge Photo Gallery.

 

Edgar Allan Poe's House

Read the facts below to know what Catterina might have seen.

• There were stairs leading down from the first floor to the basement. The basement may have been kind of dark.
• The parlor (like a living room) was on the first floor. The family's friends would hang out here.
• Muddy, Edgar Allan Poe's mother-in-law, spent a lot of time in the kitchen on the first floor.
• Edgar Allan Poe's room was on the second floor. He liked to write in this room whenever he had an idea for a story.
• Across from his room, there was a small room but we aren't sure how the family used it.
• There is a room with a stove (heater) on the third floor. We think Virginia, Poe's wife, may have stayed in this room. She was very sick.
• Muddy's room was across the hall from Virginia's, on the third floor. She would take care of Virginia.

 

BONUS! Write a story about YOUR house

1. On a piece of paper, write a story about where you live. It can be about your home, your neighborhood, your city or town. It can be from the point of view of your pet. The story can be set in the present, or it can be set 50 years in the past or the future.