Esther Moonstomp Books

It was Christmas Eve and Blackie was looking out the window into the night sky, at the twinkling stars and the moon shining brightly.

“Come here, Marmalade. Look! There’s magic in the air!” he cried. “He’s on his way!”

Marmalade tiptoed across the room. The house was very quiet. All the children were tucked up in their beds, dreaming about Father Christmas and all the presents he would bring.

“I can see him! Look, he’s whizzing across the sky!” Marmalade cried, clapping her paws together.

Now, it wasn’t Father Christmas Marmalade thought she could see – no, Father Christmas doesn’t visit cats – but Father Chriscat does.

“Don’t be silly. That was just a shooting star,” Blackie said, grumpily. He had been waiting for a glimpse of Father Chriscat for half-an-hour and didn’t think he was going to come.

He looked back at the fireplace at their empty stockings hanging up. There were five stockings in total. Three enormous stockings for each of the children and two smaller ones for Blackie and Marmalade. All five stockings were empty so perhaps if Father Christmas hadn’t come yet, neither had Father Chriscat.

Blackie closed his eyes and wished very hard. He had been a good cat, so he hoped his stocking would be filled to bursting. A new ball would be nice and some special cat treats would be perfect. His nose started twitching and he licked his lips. He was sure he could smell some scrummy fish.   

“What are you doing?” Marmalade asked.

Blackie opened his eyes. There was no fish and his stocking was still empty. He yawned.  He was very tired, but he had to stay up and see Father Chriscat, with his bright red hat and brilliant red coat.

“I know why Father Chriscat hasn’t come yet. Father Chriscat only comes down the chimney when everyone’s asleep. Let’s pretend we’re asleep and then we’ll see him,” Marmalade said, eagerly.

So Blackie and Marmalade snuggled down in their bed. Blackie let his eyes droop down until they were half closed and Marmalade did the same.

“We’re going to see him! This year, we’re actually going to see Father Chriscat,” Marmalade said, trembling with excitement, her eyes flying open again.

“Shh, he’ll hear you,” Blackie warned. “Listen, I’m sure I can hear tinkling. Close your eyes, Marmalade. He’s here!”

Marmalade pinched her eyes tightly shut.

***

Father Chriscat flew through the air with the magical mice pulling his sleigh.

“Woah,” he shouted, spying Blackie and Marmalade’s house.

Father Chriscat slid down the chimney and crept across to Blackie and Marmalade’s stockings. He filled them with lots of new toys and tasty treats.

“Merry Christmas,” he whispered, smiling down at the two cats.

Blackie and Marmalade snored contentedly, both dreaming of the moment they would see Father Chriscat.

***

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