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Mr. Tubby and the Winter Coat
One clear winter morning, when the wind was blowing from the South, Mr. Tubby became very cold. The damp earth beneath his rear paws made it difficult to walk while the biting winds ruffled his fur, threatening to seize his footing.
Shivering, he thought to himself, if I am to stay warm, I must somehow find a suitable shelter. He strolled through the garden with that in mind until he came upon a watershed that had fallen into disrepair for lack of use. The walls were rickety and decrepit-looking, but the sparse vines, which covered it on all sides, held it securely into place, perfectly safe from the vicious winds. Without a second thought, he burrowed a good-sized hole beneath the door slipped inside.
To his great pleasure, a soft blanket-which reeked of dirt and an unfamiliar being-had been spread haphazardly across the floor. Mr. Tubby, exhausted from exertion and lack of sleep, curled up on the cloth and slept peacefully, dreaming of warm flames, and the delicious foods of his homeland.
All too soon, his slumber came to an end as a rush of wind filled the cabin. Mr. Tubby woke with a start and gaped at the gigantic figure that had opened the door. It was the farmer’s dog, Ms. Lady. The great Spaniard lumbered through into the shed with grace and lowered herself beside Mr. Tubby. She was licking her lips and Mr. Tubby believed that he caught the scent of turkey dinner on her breath.
“An’ just what’ would ye be doing in my houme lit’el catt?” she inquired in her stilted speech, scratching tentatively at the straps of her apron.
She didn’t seem to be much of a threat, but the stench of all cats’ greatest enemy made Mr. Tubby’s fur fluff as he scrambled onto his haunches. Thinking quickly, he purred and bowed as deeply as possible, removing his tattered bowler hat to reveal his finely groomed fur.
“Why, I am only here as a precaution for your sake!” he murmured carefully, painstakingly wielding the art of articulate speech. “For you see, the wind is wreaking a terrible havoc outdoors, and nothing is more treacherous than a fallen shed. I am here to repair the walls using this blanket. In exchange for room and board, of course.”
Ms. Lady immediately understood what the clever cat was getting at, and stood. “My deep, deep apologies, mah lit’el catt,” at this, her nose twitched, “but I ’ave but one blaynket’ ye see.” She waved a paw about the watershed in an expression of limited space and sat down again, patting her bloated stomach. With a short exhale she continued to explain, “An’ wif theh lit’el ones on theh wei… I just dun’t have theh spayce!”
With a dejected slump, Mr. Tubby slunk back under the door and continued to wander the fields, this time stumbling upon his neighbor and fellow cat, Mr. Waffle. Mr. Waffle did not seem to be having the same troubles as Mr. Tubby, and was lounging in the tall braches of a pine in a leisurely manner. Noticing the fervent shake of Mr. Tubby’s gait, the very, very chubby Mr. Waffle leapt to the ground with a loud thump, exposing his large belly.
“Why what’s the matter, my clever friend?” the cat guffawed, slapping his companion on the shoulder. “Having trouble with the cold?”
Mr. Tubby jerked away bitterly at the discovery of Mr. Waffle’s disgustingly warm paws. “And if that were of any concern to you?” he retorted.
Mr. Waffle laughed again and his stomach jiggled in time with the sound. “The mice catch is lacking for you then, my city friend? It is this time of year that you must eat as much as you can, and pursue a gorgeous, voluptuous body such as this is!!” His heavily accented voice rose in a steady crescendo with his enthusiasm as he flexed his flabby paw pads in display.
Mr. Tubby, suddenly struck by a combination of disgust and epiphany, withdrew from Mr. Waffle and further into the forest until he reached the tree where the squirrels kept their stow of acorns. Their shelters were often warm, and if Mr. Tubby could get inside, he would find a feast. With a mighty leap, he entered the hollow of the tree and descended upon the nest. Silently, he stalked past a family of sleeping squirrels, unaware of the network of bell traps above his head.
The father squirrel, whose name was Mr. Fluffy Tail, shook awake at the soft jingle, shocked to find the desperate cat crouched over his keep. In horror, he watched as Mr. Tubby swallowed week’s worth of meals in one gulp. Mr. Fluffy Tail flew into a rage and clawed at the intruder, chattering wildly.
“Waikh, waikh, waikh!!” Cried Mr. Tubby, through a mouthful of acorn. He was a sensible cat, after all, and was certain that they could reach a happy medium before he made off with his quarry. He spat the nuts up and snapped at Mr. Fluffy Tail. “Why are you not grateful? I could easily turn my attention to you and your family if I had such intentions, good sir.” He purred and stretched out his claws, a plan forming in his head.
Mr. Fluffy Tail gaped at the cat’s sharp teeth as he became fully aware of what a truly dire situation he was in.
“You see, Mr. Fluffy Tail, I am very cold this winter’s day, and it would suit me well to satisfy my tastes with these acorns… However, meat is much more sustaining…”
Mr. Fluffy Tail squeaked at the implied threat, and began to quiver from something other that cold. An idea struck him. “Wait! I will make it so that you remain warm during every winter season from now on!”
Mr. Tubby, hearing exactly what he had hoped for, purred in excitement. “Oh really? Just what do you propose?”
Mr. Fluffy Tail’s eyes flashed to his most prized possession: his fluffy tail. “I shall sew you a coat from my own soft fur that will keep you warm during the winter!” He exclaimed, his heart racing. Trying his hand at flattery, he added, “I admit, it is not the same color as your fine black silk… Nor does it have the sheen…”
Staring intently at the small creature, Mr. Tubby meowed in agreement.
From then on, Mr. Fuzzy Tail wove Mr. Tubby a beautiful fur coat every winter using the softest hair from his tail, which kept the cat warm all season and fell apart during spring. Mr. Tubby, along with all of his friends and family, never again ate nuts.
THE END! =3
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