by Bob Brooks
“Well, you have certainly been through a lot, little one. You are safe now and in very good care,” he said as he pet the kitten.
After tea and further chatting, Bartholomew left. It didn’t take long for word about Puff to spread around Ballymore.
In early afternoon, there was another knock on the door. It was Rachel and Rain Rabbit. Rain was carrying a small basket with a towel draped over it.
Rachel asked, “We came to see Puff. Is it okay?”
“Of course,” said Dr. Brigit. “Come in, girls.”
After meeting him, Rachel said, ”We brought something for Puff.”
She uncovered the wicker basket. Inside was a small pink dress and white bonnet. Dr. Brigit laughed.
“You know Puff is a boy cat, don’t you?”
“Yes, but could we try the clothes on him just this once?” pleaded Rain.
“Let’s ask Puff,” said Dr. Brigit. “Puff, would you like to wear the dress and bonnet this one time?”
Puff seemed to understand. He got up, climbed into the basket, and pushed his head into the bonnet. The children laughed. Then, they put the dress on him and arranged the blue towel. It was a very cute picture.
“Could we take Puff for a walk and visit some of the animals?” Rain asked.
“That’ll be fine, but don’t stay away for long. He is still a little weak. Also, please ask if anyone has seen a mother cat that looks like him.”
“Oh, thank you,” said both rabbits.
Rachel and Rain carried the basket with Puff out the door and down to the pond.
“Which way shall we go?” asked Rain.
“I don’t think it matters. Let’s go to Mrs. Porcupine’s. I think she would love to meet Puff,” said Rachel.
Petunia Porcupine’s cottage is right next to Dr. Brigit’s, so it was a short walk. Petunia was looking out her kitchen window and saw them coming. She opened her door and invited the rabbits and their basket in.
Rachel placed the basket on the dining table.
“What are you girls carrying in your basket this afternoon?” Mrs. Porcupine asked.
Puff was completely covered by the towel and wasn’t moving.
She opened the towel and looked in. A kitten in a dress and bonnet looked up and purred.
“Oh my! You precious dear!”
She picked up Puff and asked her name.
“Puff is a boy cat, but we didn’t have any boy doll clothes,” explained Rain. “Puff agreed to wear these just this once. We’re taking him around to meet some of the animals. We’re also looking for his mother.”
“I understand. When I was young, I dressed my dolls differently. It didn’t matter if they were girl dolls or boy dolls,” said Mrs. Porcupine. “I’m sorry. I haven’t seen any cats around.”
“How about some nice tea and cookies?”
Both rabbits eagerly accepted.
“Let’s move Puff to the counter, so we’ll have more room,” said Mrs. Porcupine.
She carefully moved the basket to the counter, and they enjoyed freshly baked jellied cookies and tea at the table. While they were talking, Puff was sniffing. Petunia’s kitchen was always full of the wonderful smells of baking. She had plum tarts, pumpkin bread, and blueberry muffins. On the counter near Puff were two warm apple pies. That was what he smelled and could not resist.
No one noticed as he crawled out of his basket and onto the top of the closest pie. He lay there quietly. It was a perfect location for him. The warm pie felt and smelled wonderful. Apple pie juice was seeping through the crust in a few places, and Puff found it much to his liking.
He enjoyed a few minutes of this bliss before Petunia noticed him.
“Yeow!” she yelled and ran to the counter. She gently lifted Puff off of the pie. He had pie juice dripping from his mouth and some on his fur. He was smiling and purring, apparently quite pleased with himself.
Rachel said, “Oh, no! I’m sorry, Mrs. Porcupine.”
“It’s all right. I’ll clean him up. I’m afraid that pie will have to be thrown away, though.”
“Oh, please don’t throw it away. Could we have it, please?” pleaded Rain.
“I guess that’ll be okay. Just make sure you remove the cat fur before you serve it,” said Mrs. Porcupine.
The girls laughed. It was time to move on. So, Rachel, Rain, and Puff left Mrs. Porcupine’s cottage with the furry pie to continue their stroll around the pond. They walked until they reached Grenby Groundhog’s hut. Grenby had begun his winter nap on November 15th and was fast asleep in the lower level. The rabbits decided to rest on his dock. It was a nice afternoon for December. Last night’s sleet storm had been replaced by sun.
The rabbits talked about the fast approaching holidays. Each described, in great detail, what they hoped to get. They also talked about the gifts they were making for others.
All this talking gave Puff another opportunity to explore. Grenby’s flagpole was only a few feet from the dock, and it immediately caught the kitten’s attention. He thought it would be a good time to practice his climbing, so he left the basket and was up the pole in no time.
Rain was the first to notice the missing kitten.
“Puff’s gone!” she exclaimed.
They looked around but saw nothing that was orange colored. A loud meow from above announced his location.
As was his custom, Grenby left a single blue flag flying from the top of the pole during winter. Hanging from the bottom of the flag was Puff. Both flag and kitten were swinging in the breeze.
“Puff, you come back down here right now,” yelled Rachel.
Puff ignored her and continued swinging from the flag. He seemed to be enjoying himself. Shortly, the bonnet blew off and then the dress. Both flew into the pond and quickly sank. Finally, the now unclothed Puff climbed down the pole and back into his basket. What was the problem, he thought.
The rabbits were a bit frustrated by this, but Puff was just being a kitten. They decided it was best to take him back to Dr. Brigit’s before anything else happened. When they arrived, Bartholomew was visiting again. They told Dr. Brigit about Puff’s antics. She was not surprised and was happy that Puff was so lively. Rachel and Rain said goodbye and left for home with their furry apple pie. Puff went to his basket for a nap. For him it had been a good afternoon of adventures.
Bartholomew and Brigit were discussing the fast approaching December holidays over some tea. Ballymore residents celebrated them in a manner similar to the people of Ireland. They decorated their homes with greenery and candles. They exchanged presents. They gave thanks. The Ballymore residents didn’t call themselves Christians and were only vaguely aware of the Bible. However, they lived in accordance with The Golden Rule. It seemed natural for them to help each other. Bartholomew owned a copy of the Bible that he read on a regular basis. He considered himself a Christian but didn’t discuss his religion with others unless asked.
Brigit said, “This has been a wonderful year, and I’m looking forward to the holidays. So much good has happened, and when something bad happened, it turned out fine eventually. You’ve done a wonderful job.”
“Thank you, but I can’t and won’t take credit. All I do is provide some occasional guidance. The animals willingly embrace the universal truths. That will be the theme for my Winter Solstice Eve speech. Yes, it has been a wonderful year, and there will be many more as long as we continue to follow the truths.”
“You’re right. Thank you for reminding me,” said Brigit, and she gave Bartholomew a hug. “I still think you deserve more credit than you’re willing to accept.”
He smiled and said goodbye. Much organizing for Winter Solstice Eve remained to be done.
The Ballymore holiday period extended over the second half of the month. The primary celebration would be held on Winter Solstice Eve and the following day, December 22nd.
As you already know, this year there will be a new enclosed meeting hall and a special room for Jonathan’s activities. The special r
oom was being kept a secret from most. Even Bartholomew hadn’t seen it. It would be opened, for the first time, on Winter Solstice Eve.
The weeks leading up to the holiday were busy for everyone. There were numerous small get-togethers, and Bartholomew was invited to every one. Unfortunately, he had to graciously decline several. Back in November everyone drew a raffle ticket to determine to whom they would give a holiday present. This was in addition to the gifts they exchanged with their family. A considerable amount of effort went into creating or obtaining presents in preparation for the big night and following day.
Despite the apparent emphasis on presents, the animals believed that their giving was another expression of caring for each other. The presents were simply the symbols of that love and caring.
Winter Solstice Eve was clear and cold as the animal residents made their way to the pavilion on the island. Both the HMS Ballymore and raft were used for transport. Ice had begun to form on the pond, but the crafts cut through it without difficulty. The festivities were scheduled to begin at six bongs.
This was the social event of the year, and everyone looked their best. Rhonda and Reginald Rabbit had made several dresses and suits for the occasion.
Not a resident was absent, not even Grenby Groundhog. He had briefly interrupted his long nap to attend. He wore a very smart looking but old style tweed suit.
Everyone looked dapper, but it was the weasels who made the biggest impression. Reginald had made dress uniforms for them, and they wore them proudly. The uniform consisted of tan pants, white shirt, red long-tailed coat with gold buttons, black belt, boots, and beret.
Bartholomew stood at the podium and shuffled his notes. He had on brown pants, a tan vest, and a tweed jacket. A red bow tie and handkerchief completed the rather distinguished outfit. He nodded hello to everyone as they walked in. Each animal picked up a small candle in a holder and took it with them to their seats.
After everyone had finally settled, Bartholomew began.
“Good evening dear friends, and a happy Winter Solstice Eve to all.”
The animals responded in kind.
“As we do each year, we have gathered this evening to give thanks for everything we have. This has been a particularly good year for Ballymore. We welcomed newcomers Sam Snapping Turtle, my brother Jonathan Owl and his son, Oliver. Mostly recently, we welcomed Puff Cat. Thankfully, no one left us this year.”
Unfortunately, Puff’s mother had not been located.
“We have a new boat, the HMS Ballymore. We have this new building. Also, I believe we are in the final stages of locating the gift left for us by the Ballymore residents of 1801. I think you will agree that it has been a memorable year.”
He paused.
“During this season, most of the people of the world also celebrate special holidays. They gather to give thanks to their God. We live in an area known as Ireland. It is part of the British Isles. Most people here are Christians, and their holiday is called Christmas. It occurs on December 25th.
“According to Christian belief, and my belief also, about nineteen hundred years ago, God sent his son to earth to live among the people. His son was called Jesus Christ. He came to proclaim the words of the Lord, his Father. Sadly, he also came to die. He died for the sins of the people. Every Christian who proclaims belief in Jesus Christ is forgiven their sins and will go to heaven when they die.
“The words of the Lord are in The Holy Bible.”
Bartholomew held up his Bible. It was a well-worn book with a black leather cover.
“There is much good advice and guidance in this book. While you do not consider yourselves Christians, you believe in and follow one of the most important rules: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
He opened the Bible to a bookmarked page and held it up.
“It is written right here in chapter, Matthew 7:12. We in Ballymore honor and abide by this rule even though it was never formally taught to us. I’ve said it before, and I repeat it this evening. This is what makes Ballymore the wonderful place it is.
“I ask that we bow our heads for a minute of silence. Let us give thanks to the Creator who watches over each of us and the whole universe.”
Everyone lighted their small candle, and the oil lamps on the walls were turned down. It was an impressive sight as the animal residents bowed their heads. Not a sound was heard but the crackling of the fire.
After about a minute Bartholomew said, “Thank you.”
The oil lamps were turned up again. He looked around and admired the new meeting room they were in.
“Let us also thank everyone who created this magnificent building.”
The animals had blown out their candles and placed them under the chairs. Their paws and wings were now free to clap appreciatively. After a while Bartholomew held up his wings and motioned for quiet.
“As you know, each year we present the Ballymore Community Service Award to the animal who, through his or her actions, has best represented the values of Ballymore. This year, there were many candidates from which to choose.
“Branna Bluebird was always ready to help when needed. She played an important role in the medical transport of Robbie Rabbit when he injured his leg on our first puzzle hunt. With her sister Britt, she led the rescue of Colin and Craig Chipmunk from a runaway kite. Also, she played a major role in obtaining the puzzle pieces from the well last month.
“Branna, would you please come to the stage.”
Branna rose from her seat and walked forward as everyone applauded. She had not expected this and was embarrassed. Bartholomew shook her wing and then motioned her to the right.
“Our next candidates come as a pair, Wilde and Wilder Weasel. During our expedition to The Hills, they bravely fought and drove off a bear. They led the next trips to the bell tower and well. They protected Petunia Porcupine from a hawk in September. No one will forget their Halloween fireworks show. Wilde and Wilder Weasel, please come up.”
In contrast to Branna, the weasels were expecting a nomination and walked purposefully to the stage in their impressive uniforms. Everyone clapped and cheered. Bartholomew shook their paws and motioned them to stand beside Branna.
“Our third candidate is well known to you all. Burton Beaver played a lead role in the building of the HMS Ballymore. He led the construction of this wonderful building in record time. He also participated in the puzzle trip to the bell tower. Please come up here my friend.”
Burton was surprised but, in contrast to Branna, not embarrassed. Burton was well liked in Ballymore, and as he walked to the stage, he receive a standing ovation. Bartholomew hugged him and then he moved over and stood beside the weasels.
“Although he is not eligible for the award this year, I have to mention Sam Snapping Turtle. Sam has been here five years, but we didn’t meet him until August. It was then that he rescued Craig and Colin Chipmunk from the pond during a thunderstorm. Now that I think of it, the chipmunks certainly tested our emergency services this past year.”
Everyone laughed.
“In any event, Sam please come up here.”
Public recognition always embarrassed Sam, but he walked to the stage as requested. He also received a standing ovation. Bartholomew hugged Sam and the turtle quickly returned to his seat.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Ballymore, I am pleased to announce that the Ballymore Community Service Award for 1891 goes to Wilde and Wilder Weasel.”
The room erupted in cheering. The weasels were still rascals, but their reputation had skyrocketed this year. The animals were now willing to overlook their occasional tricks.
The weasels approached the podium. Bartholomew held a large plaque with their names engraved on it for the year 1891.
“Wilde and Wilder, you have truly earned this award. Everybody here thanks you for your tireless efforts this year.”
He presented the plaque to them. They thought they might win, but now that it had really happened, they were almost speechles
s.
Wilde looked at the floor a long time and then said, “My brother and I thank you so much. It has been a growing year for us. We love Ballymore.”
He looked at the floor again and then up.
He smiled and said, “We want to apologize for the tricks we played this year, but there probably will be more next year.”
Everyone laughed.
“Thank you.”
Wilder also said, “Thank you.”
They returned to their seats with the plaque and received another ovation.
Bartholomew continued, “For their much appreciated efforts, I would like to present these gold ribbons to Branna Bluebird and Burton Beaver.”
