With peace and cosiness
Third advent in the cat room
The Advent season brings peace to people’s hearts. In the last few days, Mrs Holle has sent a lot of snow to the ground and covered everything with a white blanket of snow. The animals watched the drifting snow from the stables. Only a few ventured out into the yard. The horses, ponies, donkeys and dogs had a great time: what could be better than rolling and romping around in the fresh, soft snow?
Pauli, the cat who lives in the Great Hall, gets a little more excited than usual. If it gets too loud for Pauli or if he senses a rush, he likes to get out of the way: “Oh no, the hoover. I don’t like it at all, but it has to be cleaned for the guests. And what’s that? Knocking noises? Ah, now I understand, that’s a hammer. Lots of fir garlands are attached to the wooden walls. And the red baubles are already waiting to be attached to the branches. Christmas is coming!”
Leonie, the cat boss in the cat living room above the donkey house, looks even grumpier and more agitated than usual. “Nothing is working! Now it will soon be thirteen. Where’s Pauli and Strizi, we’re about to have a meeting about the 3rd Advent party.
Why do you always have to wait for the tomcats? Bailey, run into the Great Hall and get them. But quickly, please!”. Pauli shakes his head uncomprehendingly “What are you so upset about, Leonie? We’re already here. We’ve brought Jacky too.”
Visit from the kingfisher
Pauli and Strizi help the cats decorate. Leonie has probably taken on a little too much and the cat ladies will never manage it on their own. Bailey, a red cat with beautiful brown eyes, is supposed to hang up Christmas baubles. Lots of colourful Christmas baubles are waiting for Bailey to start his work. “I could be finished by now, but I can’t find any ribbons to fasten the baubles with. I’ll just do it tomorrow and lie in the warm sun in the enclosure outside. I’ll find the ribbons eventually”.
Leonie arched her back and hissed: “Bailey, don’t be lazy! Here’s a huge box full of ribbons. Jacky will help you hang up the baubles. Go on, let’s go!”. Nobody contradicts Leonie, not even Bailey. Bored, he starts his work. In other words, he has thought about it: “I’ll sit down and tell Jacky and Pauli exactly how and where to hang the baubles. That’s right, that’s how I do it!”
“Typical of our Bailey. Just don’t stress. Jacky, you’re doing a great job. Pauli and Strizi, great. Beautiful! Look, Leonie, everything is sparkling. The snow glistens in the sun, the donkeys stand there and dream and the horses roll around in the fresh snow. Safira meows gently and quietly. When Leonie is hectic and excited, Safira tries to calm things down. Most of the time she succeeds.
Suddenly all the cats are running around hissing and meowing loudly, Christmas baubles are flying through the air and Leonie is in despair. However, a bird has strayed into the cat’s living room and now it’s all over. She holds her paws in front of her eyes and fears that all the work will be for nothing. Everything flies through the air: the fir branches, the baubles … simply everything.
Pauli has had enough and calls the cats to order. “Now look at that bird! Isn’t it beautiful? It’s a kingfisher, as beautiful as a flying gem!”. Excited, the beautiful kingfisher flies around the cat’s living room looking for a way out.
Leonie looks sternly and in no time at all the cats sit down on the sofa and calm down. The kingfisher has found a safe spot and his little heart is beating wildly.
Safira meows to him “Don’t be afraid, it’s nearly Christmas. Nobody will hurt you”. Bailey and his friends look at each other in confusion, but nobody contradicts Safira and certainly not Leonie, who is lying in the old wooden cradle, completely distraught. Pauli and Jacky gently move the cradle back and forth so that Leonie can calm down again.
Advent has arrived, it’s getting dark outside and millions of little lights are shining on the trees in the courtyard. Mrs Holle lets it snow again, all the animals lie down in the hay or in their beds and dream of the 3rd Advent.
