The Cat and the Christmas Bells
by Kristi Wright
‘Twas the Night of the Christmas Bells, and the mice had gathered for friendship, food and their yearly task. The oldest mouse held court near a cozy fire. All the little ones, many of the teens and even some adults had gathered to hear…THE STORY.
They’d heard it countless times, but they always wanted to hear it again.
“Grandpoppy!” cried the littlest mouse. “Please tell us the story of the Cat and the Christmas Bells.”
Grandpoppy put on a grand show of reluctance, but his eyes gleamed and, for a moment, he seemed not ancient at all.
“Many moons ago,” he said, “the mice held a council, for Magnum the Cat was terrorizing their people, and something had to be done.”
“Was Magnum a monster?” the littlest mouse asked.
“A terrible monster,” said Grandpoppy. “His teeth were sharper than thorns, and his claws were longer than a baby mouse.”
The children made a production of shrinking back and oohing in fear.
“One of the council proposed that they tie a bell around Magnum’s neck so the mice would hear him before he came, giving them time to flee. Everyone thought this an excellent idea until Peanut said—”
Grandpoppy paused and winked at the children.
“HOW EXACTLY DO YOU PROPOSE WE BELL THE CAT?” they shouted and fell over in giggles.
“Yes!” said Grandpoppy. “Peanut told them that no mouse could ever tie a bell around a cat and live another day. It was an impossible proposal. The rest of the council immediately saw the truth in his words, and they were very sad. Maybe there was no solution to their feline problem.”
“But Gertrude had a brilliant idea,” said the littlest mouse.
Immediately, the children began to chant, “GERTRUDE, GERTRUDE, GERTRUDE…”
Grandpoppy smiled. “Yes, Gertrude proposed they make a beautiful Christmas collar, with bells and red ribbons and tiny gold ornaments. They would leave it on the doorstep of Magnum’s home. Once his owners saw the lovely collar, they would insist on him wearing it throughout the Christmas season. And what do you think happened next?”
“IT WORKED!” everyone cried. Even the teens. Even the adults.
“Indeed it did. And our community lived without fear the whole season. Ever since, our happy band of mice celebrates the Night of the Christmas Bells by making another beautiful collar of bells. First for Magnum the Cat, then Flouncy.”
“Then Horace!” the littlest mouse shouted.
“Then Musker!” said another.
“Then Darcy!”
“And on and on,” said Grandpoppy. “Right up to tonight’s festivities when we shall make yet another stunning collar, this time for Bella the Cat.”
The children squealed with joy and tumbled over each other to hug Grandpoppy before rushing off to help decorate this year’s collar of Christmas bells.
Grandpoppy stared into the fire, smiling slightly. How old he felt with his creaking bones and gnarled paws. He didn’t remember ever having been as young as these little ones, but he did remember being a young council member, thinking himself smart enough to know a bad idea when he saw one. They’d called him Peanut back then, and he’d known better than to try to tie a bell onto a dangerous cat. But dear Gertrude had been smarter, because she’d come up with a plan that would always work, so long as there was a Christmas season.
“I miss you, my darling Gertrude,” he whispered, and the Christmas bells whispered back.
It’s easy to propose impossible remedies… but everything’s possible at Christmas.
Inspired by Aesop’s Fable Belling the Cat
