Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Twas the Night Before Christmas

It's the night before Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature is stirring, not even Marty Mouse;

Fui hung his stocking on the cat tree with care,
In hopes that Father Christmas soon would be here;
Suey is nestled all snug in her bed,
While visions of tuna-plums danced in her head.
When out on the grass there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher!

now, Dancer!
now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of fishies, and Father Christmas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Father Christmas came with a bound.

He was dressed in faux-fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of nip-toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
-
Clement Clarke Moore (with adaptations by Fui and Suey)


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

You furry purries are all so kyoot! We wish you all a very Merry 1st Christmas Eve!

Anonymous said...

And a very merry Christmas to all my furry fuzzy wonderful furiends up north!!
may it be filled with many many happy memories and love ( well we knowz the love without a doubt)
Merry Christmas!! :)

V-V

Cory said...

Great minds do think alike, but we like your version so much with Fui, Suey and the surprised kittens in the story! Merry Christmas to all of you!

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

Hee Hee!

So cute!

Wishing you all a wonderful, special Christmas!!!!

Purrs, Goldie, Shade and Banshee

Ana said...

What great little poets you are! That was wonderful! :-)

Merry Christmas! We hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season!

Chica, Pumuckl & Ana

jenianddean said...

Excellent interpretation! Merry Christmas. (I'd say get a hammock despite the exchange rate because Josie's been on it for two days straight.)
--Jasper

The Island Cats said...

That was great! Thanks for your version of that poem!

From here on the Island to all of you...we wish you a furry Merry Christmas!

Wally, Ernie, Zoey & mom Sue

Lux said...

How very sweet! :)

I want to thank you so much for the purrs and hugs - Merry Christmas!

Daisy said...

Ah, that was so cute. I especially liked the slightly clueless Claus kittens. Merry Christmas to you all!

ZOOLATRY said...

A meowy merry Christmas to Fui and Suey and all the other adorables we saw scrolling from top to bottom. And a happy happy holiday to all the beans, too!
Maggy and Zoey and Ann

Everycat said...

Aww, all the good cats n' kittens all ready for Santa! We wish you the most lovely Christmas.

Hey kittens, this is the Christmassy good life!

Whicky Wuudler