by Vladimir Vagin

Questions for Philosophical Discussion
by Hannah Esrick
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In this story the cat and the mice are friends.

1. What is friendship?
2. Can you give me an example of a time when a friend helped you?
3. Why do you think it is important for friends to help one another?
4. How do you help others?
5. Who do you help?
6. Why is it good to be able to work with others?
   
   

The first picture in "HERE COMES THE CAT!" shows a mouse in a hot air balloon calling down to an artistic mouse painting a picture:

1. What is your impression of the picture painted by the mouse?
2. Do the children like the painting?
3. Why is discussing art (aesthetics) an important component of philosophy?

The mouse in the hot air balloon calls out to a mouse on a bike.

1. How does the mouse on the bike react when he hears the words, "Here comes the cat!"?
2. What would you think if you were a mouse and heard "Here comes the cat !"?
   
3. What do you assume the mouse is feeling?
4. What role do feelings play in philosophy?

The mouse in the hot air balloon calls "Here comes the cat!" to the mice on the beach.

1. Do the mice look threatened by hearing news of an approaching cat?
2. Do you think the mouse in the hot air balloon notices the approaching thunder storm?
3. Can you predict what will happen?
   

The clouds become darker. The lightning becomes stronger. The mouse is determined to continue. A bolt of lightning goes through the hot air balloon. The mouse is not discouraged. The mouse is under water with coral, fish, shells and jelly fish. He meets a fish.The fish helps the mouse by carrying him/her on his/her back.

1. Was the fish kind to help the mouse?
2. Do you have to love someone to be kind to them?
3. Are kind acts always selfless?
4. If you do a kind act with the knowledge that you will receive something in return is it still kind?
5. Are there times when your friends are not kind?

The mouse enters a village of mice. He calls out, "Here comes the cat!"

1. What observations can you make about the mice?
2. How does this mouse look when he sees the approaching cat?
3. How does the cat look? Threatening? Kind? Content? Proud?

The cat enters the mouse city pulling a big piece of cheese for the mice to share. The collar and leash are taken off of the cat. The mice eat the cheese and the cat gets a back rub and milk.

1. Does everyone benefit?
2. Do the mice care for the cat?
3. Does the cat care for the mice?
4. Can you do kind acts without caring?

The mice trust the cat.

1. Why is it important to have trust?
2. What are the characteristics of trust?

 

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