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The Maltese Cat
The Maltese Cat, a polo pony living among the British in India, achieves glory and honor in the big game against the Archangels.
- GenresFictionShort Stories
48 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1991
9 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
7,343 books3,755 followersJoseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 12, 2023
This is a fun short story, told from the point of view of the ponies playing a polo match. They love the game, and they love to play! When the chips are down, the horses can strategise as well on how to help with the game. The Maltese Cat is the Captain of the horses in this game and its an imaginitive story.
January 16, 2022
A short story from Rudyard Kipling
Very interesting for anyone curious about India under British Rule and written from the perspective of the Polo ponies … charming and of its time … just wish it had been longer
Very interesting for anyone curious about India under British Rule and written from the perspective of the Polo ponies … charming and of its time … just wish it had been longer
November 1, 2021
Interesting read and from the horses viewpoint. Fun read about the sport of Polo.
November 25, 2023
I found this book around the house and decided to read it before donating it. I think our daughter picked this one up at a book swap based on the title, but didn't realize it wasn't actually about a cat.
The narrative is a bit hard to follow, but details the perspective of a polo pony during a game.
The narrative is a bit hard to follow, but details the perspective of a polo pony during a game.
August 20, 2018
An excellent story about horses and polo. It was an exceptionally vivid read and felt like you were there. Also, quite a fun story and something very different compared to the usual Kipling story.
July 10, 2023
Kipling wrote wonderful short stories, and this is his best.
June 23, 2025
Fast paced, like the game, and very entertaining.
March 23, 2022
It's been a few years since I read the Jungle Book (which at the time I did not care for, but that's for another time), and I'm not sure much could have convinced me to try another Kipling story.
Except.
Polo.
And let me tell you, my respect for Kipling as a writer has been restored and I absolutely loved this short story. Now I'm not sure if it has to do with my experience and enthusiasm for the game itself, but Kipling transports you directly onto the field and into a game of underdog ponies giving it their all for a win. This story is quite short, but it didn't take long for me to absolutely fall in love with The Maltese Cat (pony and story). Highly recommend!
Except.
Polo.
And let me tell you, my respect for Kipling as a writer has been restored and I absolutely loved this short story. Now I'm not sure if it has to do with my experience and enthusiasm for the game itself, but Kipling transports you directly onto the field and into a game of underdog ponies giving it their all for a win. This story is quite short, but it didn't take long for me to absolutely fall in love with The Maltese Cat (pony and story). Highly recommend!
April 27, 2016
A fabulous story of why "The King of Games is still the Game of Kings".
If you love horses, smaller handy thoroughbreds, any horse who can spin on a dime, loves the game and chasing the "willow root ball" with the best of them, then you love polo.
I learned to ride on an old polo pony. When I fell off, he stood next to me until I remounted. On the other hand, when he saw a deer, he chased it like he was a leopard. (My fault if I could not stop him, I had no experience, it was still exhilarating to fly after the deer.)
http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmg...
This is such a fun story, told from the point of view of the ponies. They love the game! They love to play! And who knew, when the chips are down, the horses can strategise with the best of their humans.
A completely enjoyable horse and sport story from the Raj back when a good polo pony was a trappy hardscrabble horse chosen for its athletic cavalry ability and conformation no matter the breed.
If you love horses, smaller handy thoroughbreds, any horse who can spin on a dime, loves the game and chasing the "willow root ball" with the best of them, then you love polo.
I learned to ride on an old polo pony. When I fell off, he stood next to me until I remounted. On the other hand, when he saw a deer, he chased it like he was a leopard. (My fault if I could not stop him, I had no experience, it was still exhilarating to fly after the deer.)
http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmg...
This is such a fun story, told from the point of view of the ponies. They love the game! They love to play! And who knew, when the chips are down, the horses can strategise with the best of their humans.
A completely enjoyable horse and sport story from the Raj back when a good polo pony was a trappy hardscrabble horse chosen for its athletic cavalry ability and conformation no matter the breed.
December 15, 2015
A slightly opaque - for the modern reader - very short story of a polo match as related by the horses as they play. Really though it's about one polo pony in partivular - the Maltese Cat. The story does successfully impart a flavour of the game but does little to educate one as to the rules but this does not really matter. Whether or not one understands clearly what is going on is unimportant as that flavour is enough to sustain one through the story and the sentimental but pleasing and uplifting end bought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye that I have discovered late in life, Kipling can so often do to me. The old 1936 copy I recently bought had the addition of superb illustrations in it by Lionel edwards. I recommend anyone who reads this story to find an illustrated version.
November 21, 2008
The game of polo from the horses view point.
June 20, 2012
Told from the horses perspective The maltese Cat brings the game of Polo to life on the page.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews