Which story includes the notion that cats’ self-reliance is the old man's good luck?

• A. The Baby Party
• B. The Scarlet Letter
• C. The Enemy
• D. Old Man at the Bridge

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is how a character’s attitude toward animals can symbolize resilience and hope in hard times. In this story, the old man’s two cats embody independence and self-sufficiency. He treats their ability to take care of themselves as a kind of good luck for him—that if the cats can survive and move forward on their own, there’s reason to believe life can continue despite danger around them. The cats’ self-reliance becomes a quiet sign of endurance that the old man clings to in a moment of war and uncertainty. This focus on practical, steadfast traits—rather than dramatic fortune or emotion—highlights how small, reliable factors can influence a person’s sense of luck and survival.