‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all were at peace.
Not a creature was stirring, not even a meese.
The food bowls were placed by the chimney with care,
In hopes that the Christmas Cat soon would be there.
The kittens were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of water voles danced in their heads.
I curled up for a snooze on Catmother’s lap,
As she settled her brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Climbed straight up the curtains and gave them a slash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a lustre to all of my kingdom below.
Now, can you imagine what this fine scene features?
– An igloo bed, pulled by eight Flutt’ring Creatures!
With a glossy-furred driver, so cheerful and fat,
I knew straight away it must be Christmas Cat.
More rapid than Pasha his minions they came,
And he miaowed, and he purred, and he called them by name!
“Now Feather! now, Flighty! now, Mighty and Squeaky!
On, Tweeter! On, Peeper! on, Screechy and Beaky!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now flit away! Flit away! Flit away all!”
Then, as foes that before my magnificence flee,
And seek sanctuary atop the nearest high tree,
So up to the roof the Creatures they flew,
With the igloo of wonder, and Christmas Cat too.
And then I did hear, as I listened some more,
The scratching and scraping of each little claw.
As I drew in my whiskers and attempted a groom,
Down the chimney the Christmas Cat entered the room!
His fur was all tabby, from his head to his foot,
And his tail was all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of kibbles he had flung on his back,
And I wondered how soon he would open the pack.
His eyes – how they twinkled! his whiskers how pretty!
His ears were so plush – this was one handsome kitty!
His elegant tail curled around him with grace,
And the fur on his paws was as sleek as his face.
A sprig of fresh catnip he held in his teeth,
And the scent it encircled his head like a wreath.
His features were supple and fluid as silk,
And rippled when he yowled, like a bowlful of milk!
He was portly yet agile, and velvet of claw,
And I felt rise within me a feeling of awe.
But a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He uttered no mewl, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the food bowls, then turned with a jerk.
And gathering his limbs in a manner adept,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he leapt!
He sprang to his igloo, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him miaow, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”