Today is Marcy the cat's birthday. Siamese cat Philip has been fussing in front of the mirror all morning.
I must look impeccable. A birthday is an important event, it only happens once a year!
Philip put on a white shirt with a jabot, a waistcoat, black trousers, a hat on his head, picked up a walking stick, and after one last glance in the mirror, purred:
I am a gentleman cat and I look rather splendid!
Cat Murzik hid near a mouse's hole so he could bring Marcy a grey mouseling as a gift.
Cat Philip brought special delicious cat food as a gift. And his friend Mary gave a beautiful red ribbon.
All the invited guests marvelled at their favourite treats: cream, sausages and cottage cheese. They played merrily with a ball and performed "meow-hits".
All the guests regretted only one thing—that a birthday happens only once a year.
Birthday girl Marcy, sighing, said:
Let every day of the year be like a birthday!
