It’s that time of year, the holidays. A time where people can enjoy being with their families and friends. Parties, presents, worship and of course, decorating the tree.
“Okay, new guys, front and center,” growls Buster, “Listen up, Belle and I are going to give you a few pointers on how to have fun on the holidays.” “Oh great, we can’t wait,” cooed Charley.”Well then, have a seat, and we’ll begin,” purred Belle.
“First of all, the family loves it when we help,” meowed Buster. “So do all you can. Pull all the lights off the tree. Chase each other with the garland and tinsel and knock off every ornament you can reach.”
“Buster, don’t tell them that,” growled Belle. “They’ll get into trouble.”
“That’s the whole idea,” purred Buster.
The kittens looked at each other, “What’s he talking about?” cooed Monty to Tater.
“What’s an ornament?” “Beats me, guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
The oldest, Carla, came down from her chair, and growled at Buster. “You’re a real instigator, do you know that?!” “Oh come on, Carla, I’ll bet you did worse, when you were a kitten.”
“Never mind me, you know it makes Mom crazy when you do stuff like that.” “Oh don’t be so grouchy, it’s all in good fun. Besides, I didn’t tell them to climb the tree and play Tarzan and swing from the lights, did I?” smiled Buster.
“Okay, but if they ask me, I don’t know nothing.” Carla jumps back on her chair, and Buster continues the lesson.
“Okay, since this is your first Christmas, Belle and I will show you how, then it will be your turn.” “Hey, what’s the big idea? I said I’d tell them, I didn’t say I’d do it,” growled Belle. “I don’t want them to take away my treats. ” “Ex-nay on the eats-tray, they don’t know that.” “Carla was right, you are an instigator,” hissed Belle.
With eyes wide open and full of energy, Charley, Monty and Tater waited for the fun to begin.
Just then, the “Men-Folk” brought in the tree and set it down in the corner. “That’s great, guys,” said Mother.
Boxes and bags began to clutter the living room.
“Now listen,” whispered Buster to the rookies, “When I meow go, you start jumping into the boxes, pull out what you can. Chase the balls across the floor, use your claws to rip the wrapping paper. Take the loose ribbon and race through the house, they love to chase it.” “What are you going to do?” purred Charley, with a puzzled look on his face. “I’m going to sit here and make sure you’re doing it right,” meowed Buster. “Oh, by the way, they bring out this big bowl, and set on the table, it’s called egg nog. You should try it, it tastes great.”
Belle and Carla just turned their heads, closed their eyes and cooed, “You guys have fun, we’re taking a nap.”
When the chaos begins, the family knows exactly who to turn to. “Buster, you instigator, you’ve corrupted these guys already.”
The little ones stop and look at each other. “Uh-oh,” cooed Monty, “I don’t think this is the kind of help they wanted.” They turned and looked at Buster, and with a smile on his face, Buster meows “Gotcha.”
Mary Kugler writes from Erma.
Avalon – Eighty percent of working-age Americans have jobs, and the average after-tax income is up almost $4,000 since before the pandemic, significantly outpacing inflation.
