The Unnatural Tree

The Unnatural Tree

“No, Kiki! That is not a toy!”

Mommy carried me away (again — highly disappointed) from the large tree covered in dangling, jingling, shiny toys that I am apparently not allowed to touch. It looks like a tree anyway, although it does not smell or taste like one.

She placed me gently next to her on her favorite daytime bed that faces the tree. Mommy never stays mad at me for very long.

I do not understand why Mommy and Daddy would place a tree in our home that I cannot bite, pull, or scratch. Why would they attach all of those wonderful, shiny, sparkly, lighted toys all over it if it is not for me? Bugs are not even attracted to this unnatural replica.

I have prowled around the tree many times, smelling it carefully all about. I even tapped one of the shiny toys very softly with my toe beans. It made the most enchanting jingling chime before Mommy caught me and advised me “No” again. I am very determined this tree is meant to be frolicked with. I only have not yet worked out why I am the only one who comprehends this.

Perhaps Mommy and Daddy are going to bring home another cat. That may be one reason. I am not sure if I want to share our home with another strange cat, although it could be fun to have someone to wrestle with and play hide-and-seek. Hmm… is the tree for another cat?

Mommy is patting her rather large tummy again, as if she were patting and rubbing me. She does this a lot lately since her tummy became so enormous. Mommy has also been eating more — a lot more — more of everything. It is nice, though, because sometimes she shares her tasty treats with me.

I just worry a little because I do not want her to get too big and explode. What would I do without Mommy to feed me? Daddy goes away all day long almost every day, but Mommy is with me most of the time.

Oh no. Mommy is teary-eyed again. She is very happy more often, but then she will become really sad, and even really mad. Daddy usually does something to cause Mommy to yell, but he knows how to handle her. He is rarely an angry Daddy.

I decided to cuddle closer to Mommy and rub against her large tummy. She has been so much warmer, and our territory has been colder. I have to make sure to keep her warm as well. Ahh, I love when she tickles me under the chin. Purr.

Mommy’s thoughts have been different lately. Normally, I can sense when she thinks about Daddy, our territory, our other family members, food, and even me. However, I have been detecting new thoughts that are very strange.

These thoughts resemble new kitten thoughts. I understand and remember new kitten thoughts. They are usually simple things like fear, happiness, and hearing sounds for the first time. What is really strange is that Mommy’s normal thoughts and these kitten thoughts overlap. How can this happen? Will Mommy turn back into a kitten?

Oh boy. Mommy’s tummy is moving again. I should pat it down so it does not cause her to explode.

“Kiki! Are you making biscuits on Mommy’s tummy? You’re so funny, Kiki!”

It might be funny to her, but I am worried. As the second male of the house, I have to keep her safe, and that tummy of hers is starting to give me some gray whiskers. I do not understand how Daddy is not as concerned as I am.

“Kiki, it is time Mommy has a little talk with you. I need to explain why Mommy has been different lately.”

Oh, finally. I lay down with my head on Mommy’s tummy, my heart beating fast. I turn on my purring motor because I do not want her to worry.

“Kiki, Mommy is going to give you a very special Christmas present. Mommy is carrying a little baby in her tummy — a little kitten,” she laughed. “You will have to be good with the little baby once he is born. You will be his big and special brother. I will need you to look after him with me. He will be very fragile, and Mommy and Daddy trust you will be his most important babysitter. He will have to be watched all the time so he does not get hurt or into trouble.”

Oh.

So that is what is happening.

Mommy has a large tummy because there is a very big kitten inside — a boy kitten. This explains the thoughts I have been feeling and sensing. Those were never Mommy’s thoughts at all. Mommy will not explode or turn back into a kitten.

Now I understand why Mommy and Daddy put the big, strange tree with the fun and shiny toys all over it in our home. It is a special present for the new kitten Mommy will have. They probably want the new kitten to have the first nibbles, scratches, and pounces.

Maybe Mommy and Daddy understand how, when I rub and bite my favorite things, I am claiming them as my own. I like my favorite items to smell familiar. I even like Mommy and Daddy to smell like me. I have to do this often, though, because sometimes a strange floral smell, or something Mommy calls “soap,” makes my smell magically disappear.

That is why I am not allowed to play with it now.

Maybe my new little brother will let us play with it together when he is here. I am sure he will. I will have a lot to teach him about being a male cat.

I will teach him to hunt bugs and other delicious catches. I will teach him how to hide a spider from Mommy when she screams. Mommy can be a real scaredy-cat sometimes, but I do love her, and I am sure I will love my new Christmas kitten brother.

This “Christmas” word Mommy mentions — I do not really know. Maybe it is another word for a very large male kitten. Mommy uses funny words a lot.

How nice. The Christmas kitten’s thoughts are warm and cuddly. Hooray — look outside! I will teach the Christmas kitten how to catch those falling little ice balls when Mommy lets us play in the garden.

I am so sleepy from all of this excitement. I think I will just close my eyes next to Mommy and her kitten tummy.

He is hungry again.

Yes.

Those are definitely Christmas kitten thoughts.