The silver moon rode across the night sky... Probing through
the scudding clouds with luminous fingers. The dark trees raised
their limbs in mute adoration to mistress moon and cast long weird shadows
on the ground.
Through the shadows flitted a small black shape, hurrying, scurrying,
and scampering atop the garden wall. Two round yellow eyes scan the
moonlit scene. A small nose sifts through the night scents and tiny
whiskers quiver. Little black paws tremble on the cold stones, and
a little heart beats a rapid tattoo, pitty pat, pitty pat.
"Oh my, oh my" whispers the little cat; "it must be tonight, it has
to be tonight. Oh dear, I pray I'm not too late. He must come,
it's my only chance. I must be patient, but it's sooo cold."
With that the little cat huddled down on the wall, trying to find what
little warmth there was.
Time slid slowly by, the moon let her silvery glance come back again
and again to the tiny black shape trembling among the stones. She
could hear the little heart slowing it’s tempo, pitty pat, pitty pat.
The winds made a mournful sobbing cry and the trees bent their branches
low.
Then through the night came a tinkling sound, faint at first and drawing
near. A rush of sound above the wind’s keening and a strange warmth
flowed into the air, pushing back the chill. A gentle hand stroked
the little black head and strength stole back into the nearly stilled heart.
The drooping, frost covered whiskers trembled and quivered and life slowly
returned to the little body.
"Hello little one" said a gentle voice, "and what are you doing here
all alone?" The kitten’s eyes slowly opened and he gazed up at the
figure beside him. A figure dressed all in red and white, a beaming
smile framed with a white beard and twinkling eyes that shone with happiness
and love. The hand stroked lovingly again and all the cold was gone,
banished as if it never was. Kitten’s eyes and mind cleared in a
flash and his heart leaped with hope.
"It’s you, you came, you’re really here. Oh, I prayed soooo hard!!!"
he cried. "You are my only hope." "Easy now little one" came
the soft reply, "tell me your need. Why have you come searching for me?"
"Why you are Santa, Santa Claus," cried the little cat. "You help
those in need if they’ve been good, and I’m so little, and I’ve tried to
be the best of kittens. I’ve tried so hard, and prayed so hard, and my
need is so great, and it’s not for me alone."
"Whoa now," laughed Santa, "slow down and tell me exactly what you want
me to do for you young sir. Do you have a name?"
The kitten hung his head and whispered, "my momma called me Puss."
"And where is your momma now?" asked Santa gently. "I don’t know," Puss
replied sadly." "She’s been gone for days now, and my two sisters
and I are afraid, we don’t know what to do. So I...momma told us
all about you, and I thought you might help us find momma again.
Please.” A single kitty tear dropped off his whiskers. "Where
are your sisters?" Santa asked gently. Puss stared around.
"Oh Santa, I’m lost. I can’t find my way back. Oh Santa, I’ve
killed them," he cried. "Now gently," said Santa, "just picture the
place in your mind."
Puss closed his eyes tightly and thought real hard. He saw an old shed,
box in the corner, and two tiny grey forms wrapped tightly in an old coat.
Suddenly there was a flash of light then he and Santa were there in the
shed. Santa was stooped and reaching into the box with his marvellous
hands. "Are they alright, are they alright?," Puss cried. Scampering
around trying to see into Santa’s embrace. "We’re fine," purred a sleepy
voice, and another said, "Oh Puss, you found him, you saved us all."
"Miss Meme, Miss Kiki, you’re okay" cried Puss happily, and the three
rolled together in Santa’s arms.
"Now," said Santa, "one thing yet needs to be done. Think hard of your
momma, put her picture in your hearts." Three little sets of eyes
closed tight, and three little hearts filled with an image so beloved.
There was another flash and when they opened their eyes there stood before
them, "Momma, oh Momma!!! You’re HERE!" cried three little voices as one.
"My babies, oh my Darlings," sobbed Momma. "I was trapped in a basement.
I tried and tried to get out. I was so afraid."
The happy family purred madly and licked and kissed each other again
and again. Finally they looked up at a beaming Santa Claus.
Momma stepped forward and bowed her head. "I thank you Dear Santa
for helping me and my children. But Sir, if I could be bold enough
to ask, would you please take them to someplace safe and warm? I
can get by, but my babies must have food, and warm shelter, and I cannot
give them either in this cold winter." "Momma.. NOOO!!", cried the
three, "we must stay with you, we love you!!"
Santa stooped low and gently spoke. "Now hush Puss, Meme and Kiki.
Your Momma is willing to sacrifice her heart’s desire for you. This
is the greatest gift that can be given, the true meaning of this Holy time
of year. But the sacrifice need not be made, for I will bring you
ALL home with me. Because of the love you have shown, you will stay
in my magical kingdom. You will lead all those cats who leave their
mortal lives to a wonderful garden called the Rainbow Bridge. And
you will be warm, safe, and loved until our Father calls us all home to
Heaven.
And so it was, and still is.
By: Wayne Pond
Copyright © 12-07-2002
