Somebody Catch That Christmas Tree!

“POPCORN, NO!” MRS. SIDNEY shouted.

- Pamela Love

Too late. Swipe went her cat’s paw, and down went a glass reindeer. Mrs. Sidney shook her head. “That’s the third ornament you’ve broken today.” Popcorn yawned and strolled off.

Picking up the pieces, Mrs. Sidney called after him, “I didn’t decorate this tree with toys, you know.” That gave her an idea. Smiling, she took off the rest of the glass ornaments and put them away. Then she drove downtown and bought yarn and boxes of extra-bouncy rubber balls.

When she returned, Popcorn was napping on a sunny window sill. Mrs. Sidney got to work. Snip, snip, went her scissors. Knot, knot, went her fingers. Soon the tree was covered with colorful balls tied on tightly with yarn.

“There! Now it’s safe for Popcorn to play with. I must take his picture when he sees it— oh, dear. I left my camera in the car.” She hurried outside to get it.

Popcorn woke up. Stretching sleepily, the cat looked at the Christmas tree. His eyes opened wide. Before, the tree had been interesting. Now, it was TOYLAND! At top speed, he launched himself.

The Christmas tree fell over. But it didn’t stay down. Boing! Its new ornaments sent the tree bouncing out of the living room.

Terrified, Popcorn clung to the tree. Boing! Boing! On the third bounce, he leaped off, landing in his water dish. “Yeeeowl!”

When Mrs. Sidney opened the front door, six feet of pine needles and wood were headed her way. Sensibly, she stepped aside.