Twas two weeks before Christmas, and Emeril lay napping on the desk. He napped through the morning and afternoon too. Until the early evening when he awoke with a MEOW!
“Meow! Meow!” he cried, all through the apartment. “I’m hungry, I’m hungry! Feed me no-o-ow!”
His mommy dashed to the kitchen and poured a mighty scoop of kibble for Emeril. He pranced to his dish and gobbled it up. Afterwards, he jumped onto the sofa and began licking his big white paws. He yawned, then curled into a ball and promptly fell asleep.
Mommy sat next to him, stroking his silky soft fur. “Emeril,” she whispered. “Have you forgotten that Christmas is only two weeks away?”
Emeril opened one eye and gave his mommy a steely stare. “Meow.”
“Emeril Claus!” his mommy exclaimed. “All the good kitties are counting on you to deliver them toys and treats on Christmas Eve. Have you even started on your naughty or nice list?”
“Meow.” Emeril replied. “Yes, I have. I am the only good kitty this year.”
“Emeril, now you know that’s not true,” his mommy said. “I’m not even sure if you made the good kitty list this year. But there are lots of other good kitties counting on you. Santa entrusted you with this big responsibility. He’ll be so mad at you.”
Emeril rolled onto his back. “Really? You think Santa will be mad?”
“Absolutely!” mommy said with a firm nod. “He’ll put you on the permanent naughty list for sure. No more presents. No more special beds. Or special toys. Ever.”
Emeril dashed to the desk and sat next to the laptop. “Mommy! Mommy! Come quick! You know I can’t type, but I’ll dictate the list to you. Santa will see that I am the best kitty ever!”
Mommy typed for hours as Emeril told her which kitties had been naughty or nice. Once the list was complete, Emeril went shopping at Amazon for all the good kitties of the world. He bought toys, beds, cat towers and bags and bags of kitty treats.
Exhausted from their hard work, Emeril and his mommy stopped for a snack—a handful of kibble for him and a peppermint kiss thumbprint for her. They snuggled on the sofa and soon fell asleep while visions of electronic mice and catnip danced in their heads.
Every day new toys and treats arrived at their apartment, and Emeril supervised while his mommy wrapped each present with care. Soon, the big day arrived, and Santa flew down from the North Pole to pick-up the gifts.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa said as he rubbed his big belly. “All the good kitties will be so pleased. But Emeril, why aren’t you wearing your Santa suit? I know your mommy bought one for you.”
Emeril meowed and meowed, but Santa held firm—if Emeril Claus wanted to join him, then he must wear his Santa suit! Emeril went to his mommy who transformed him into a mini Santa Kitty Claus. She took a picture. Or two. Or twelve. Until Santa said it was time to go.
Emeril and Santa leapt into the sleigh and soon rose into the starry night to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls and kitties of the world (Emeril claimed that no doggies were good this year, but mommy thinks he’s in denial). And Mommy heard Emeril meow before he flew out of sight, “Meowie Christmas to all and to all a safe and joyous Holiday Season from Eat Laugh Purr!”
Inspired by Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore.