By: Tiggertailz
This is a story I would usually not tell, but because I am amongst friends I will share it with you. You see, it is a story that is not well believed. There is magic and laughter and fairy tale dances. If you dare to believe in such "nonsense," then stay and here my tale.
Some time ago, there was a new kitten welcomed to the Jellicle layer. She was small and golden striped. Those stripes were truly gold for they sparkled with a life of their own. Some said that the gold was fairy dust, a gift from fairies that had blessed her with life and maybe even a kind of magic. She was named Luna for the stripe on her chest which was curved like the crescent moon. Luna was a very curious cat. She spent many a night searching for new discoveries and even a few follies.
Here is the tale where Luna first enters the Jellicle layer:
Luna had been chasing moths throughout the city streets and alleyways. It did not bother her to stray so far from home. She was not wanted there anyway. Since the girl human had left, Luna found an empty bowl of cream and her favorite cushion missing, so she decided to strike out on her own this night. The moths seemed to be teasing her, almost begging her to follow. She chased them all over London until the moths stopped flying from her. Before she realized she could capture one, her attention was grabbed by the scene around her. She was in the middle of a junk yard. "This is no place for a stately kitten like me," Luna thought to herself. But none the less, her curiosity won out, and she began to explore this strange new place.
One particular item caught her attention. It was a top hat lying on its side. Luna thought she saw something inside and took a closer look. She crept up to the hat and peered inside. It was very dark inside the hat, but Luna stuck her head and front paws inside to have a look. Suddenly, the dust from the hat made Luna sneeze. The sneeze was so violent that the hat tumbled upright with Luna in it. Struggle as she might, Luna could not turn the hat back on its side.
Now, it was about this time that Mr. Mistoffelees entered the yard, puzzled to find that his magic hat, the one he pulled seven kittens from, was suddenly upright. What was even more astounding were the feet and tail that were wiggling out the top. Mistoffelees approached the hat with care but also a touch of amusement at the predicament at the poor creature inside. At closer view, he discovered that it was merely a curious kitten trapped inside. Mistoffelees carefully lowered the hat so the young kitten could escape. Luna quickly darted out of the hat, it was awfully stuffy in there. She looked at her hero, not sure what to make of him. He had a kind face, but he was a stranger. She remembered the girl human's mother telling the girl human to be careful of strangers. So Luna kept her distance but did not flee. Mistoffelees was taken aback by this sparkling kitten before him. He'd never seen a cat like her before. He smiled and asked "What is your name little one?" But Luna would not reply. Mistoffelees was disappointed at her lack of response. He reached out his paw to her and said, "My name is Mistoffelees. And this is the Jellicle layer. Please tell me your name." Luna decided to be brave. "My name is Luna," she said very quietly. "I am pleased to meet you, Luna," Mistoffelees said with a bow. "Tell me, what did you find so interesting about my hat?" Luna was slow to reply. "I'm sorry, but you see, I thought that there was something in the hat," she said, unsure of what his response would be. Mistoffelees looked at Luna in amazement. Had he left some thing inside his hat? And if he did, how could she tell? Maybe she had a touch of magic. "Well let's see what's in there shall we?" Mistoffelees smiled. Much to his delight, Luna smiled back. They returned to the hat and Mistoffelees set it upright again. With a wave of his paw over the hat, he reached in and pulled out a small red ball, some thing he was hiding from Rum Tum Tugger. He had forgotten about it. Luna seemed delighted by the ball. "Here you are my lady," and Mistoffelees presented her with the ball. Luna took the ball between her paws and began to bat it back and forth. But before she got to far away, she ran back to Mistoffelees and licked his ear in thanks. Then she darted away with her new found treasure. Luna decided that this wouldn't be bad place for a kitten like her after all.
Mistoffelees watched her leave, smiling, and wondering if he would see her again.
-Rebecca Heebsh
April 10,1999
If you liked this story and would like to here more, please e-meow me at "tiggertailz@mindspring.com".