The cat made of wood

The story

Mr.Whiskers looks like an ordinary branch on an oak tree to most people. However, he is not just that! A young girl named Hazel discovered the truth about him.

One day she was playing in the woods by her new cottage. She was having tons of fun, finding places she believed were fairy hides, covered in ivy.

Since she was young, magic fuelled her happiness. It let her imagination run free with life.

On the day she found Mr.Whiskers she was in shock. She never expected to see a wooden cat in the dense woods around her. Looking at him closely, she spoke gently to him.

"Hello little kitty," she whispered," Why are you here? Turned to wood?"

A smile formed on his aged face, as this was first time time someone had noticed him.

"I will tell you tomorrow," he said slowly.

Excited she skipped home and waited for the morning to come.....

As the sun rose, Hazel pulled in her boots quickly. She was going to find out about the cat. As she approached him, she saw he was sitting opposite watching him intently with its back eyes.

" I suppose you've come here for my story," he said.

"Yes!" Giggled Hazel.

After she settled down on a patch of surprisingly soft moss he told his tale...

He was a real cat once. His fur a strong ginger. His eyes deep black and wide. Most of his days were spent roaming through fields full of lush green grass and sweet yellow buttercups. Birds tweeting gently, giving the selves away. Oh what joy it was for him then!

But on one cool summers night he did something he still regrets. At the time he was only three months old, hunting the squirrels one bright evening he came across another cat. This cat was black and had grey streaks down its face. They made friends and Mr.Whiskers followed him back to its house. A big mistake!

This cat was evil. The cat of a witch. A witch who loved squirrels. Mr.Whiskers was thrown into a guarded room. It was small, damp and full of other cats. But, theses cats were wooden.

"She punished you by turning you to wood?" gasped Hazel, " Is there a way to undo it?"

"Yes, I think so. If you see me for five days in a row I should return to my former feline form. Immortal and yours!" Laughing with excitement, she knew this was what she would do.

Years later Mr.Whiskers still lives happily with Hazel's great grandchildren......