Greyback and Greta

       Greyback is the famous tiger-cat of the old Massachusetts town of witches; and Greta is Greyback’s little-girl mistress. 

        Greyback is well worth looking at for his enormous size and his noble head and his glossy fur of black and yellow stripes; yet Greyback has not become famous because of his size and beauty, but because he is never seen in the street except dressed in baby-clothes and riding in a meal dainty wicker carriage!  

       Every day of his life Greyback is dressed up in long dresses with ruffled sleeves and neck, and pretty tucks in the skirt. He is taken care of like a baby, too, “ trotted to Boston,” carried about on Greta’s shoulder, and petted and hugged, and sung to sleep. 

       When Greta goes to school, Greyback is laid, pretty white dress and all, on a big soft sofa pillow. There he lies all the forenoon very quietly, his glossy legs drawn up under his long skirts, unless.someone happens to take a seat on the sofa— then he opens his great yellow eyes and give a warning hiss-s-s !  

       When Greta comes home from school Greyback is taken up, fed, and dressed in a fresh muslin. It is very funny to hear his loud purrs as Greta throws the dress over his head, shakes his big yellow paws through the long sleeves, and smoothes the skirt and pulls out the frills. He half opens his eyes to see which dress he is wearing, then shuts them again with a long sleepy yawn, as though there were nothing so restful to a cat as a newly-starched muslin. 

       Time was when Greyback was too young and foolish to like to wear dresses, and when he would run away as fast as his legs could carry him if he espied his little-girl mistress coming in with his dress or cloak. But that was eight years ago, in the days of his kittenhood. 

        Whenever the weather is fine Greyback expects to be dressed in his best frock, cloak and little ruffled cap, and be taken out in a baby carriage for an airing, all up and down the old Salem streets. Everybody stops to look at him. Newspaper reporters ask questions about him and then go away and write stories about him. Artists and photographers take his picture. Dogs come and glare at him. Little children crowd near and crow delightedly in his ears. Other cats stare at him, and there is one Manx cat that always turns up his nose. 

       But Greyback sits up straight and jolts along serenely in his carriage, quite happy and contented so long as the strings of his bonnet do not get in the way of his whiskers, nor its frills in his eyes. 

       One sad day Greta and her mother went away on a long visit, where it was impossible to take a cat with them. So Greyback was left to the care of the servants, and of course they could not be expected to dress Miss Greta’s cat and take him out to ride. 

       Poor Greyback! he missed his gowns and his caps, his carriage and his little mistress, so much! His saucer of milk was left untasted, and his fur grew rough, and his paws ragged and worn with their ceaseless “ pat, pat,” about the house and yard. He became very thin, so thin that it was feared he would die before Greta’s return, and everybody was much worried about it. 

       At last, after some scratches and growls — for Greyback cannot bear to be dressed by anyone but his own little mistress — he was put into his dress and cloak and cap, and taken out fora ride. He must have thought it was Greta pushing the carriage, for he settled contentedly down and purred all the way.

       But how glad he was when Greta really did come home! How he did purr and rub his big head against her cheek! Then he was at once put to bed on his own pillow and there he had his first real sleep since the day when his little-girl mistress had left him. Annie Chase.

"The Witch of Hissing Hill"

The Witch of Hissing Hill
holds so many cats. But,
one is yellow now, what
do you think of that!

        Once upon a time everything was status quo on Hissing Hill. Sizzle the witch bred witchy cats who yowled at the moon, had sharp white teeth, hissed at every living thing and were blacker than the blackest midnight! These cats helped witch clients make the most 'hateful magic.' In fact, no true wicked witch could cook a successful magic potion without a black cat staring at her brew! But all of Sizzle's success at breading the most hateful spitting cats was about to change...

       Gold was born. Gold wasn't like any other cat that had ever been born on Hissing Hill. She had the power of 'good magic.' This power gave her a genuine heart to heal witchy aching feet and she could also reverse 'hate medicine' and unbeknownst to the greater witchy clientele, yellow witch cats could change entire cat communities if allowed to live only a few moments among them. These cats reverse toxic spells and turn old hags into sweet little old grandmothers. Read or listen to the cat tale below to find out what happens to Gold on Hissing Hill.

More Fun for Dolls at Halloween:

• Make a spooky sticker wreath to frighten your trick-or-treaters this Halloween.
• Print a vintage Halloween game board for your dolls...
• Why not carve a pumpkin house?
• Sew some frightful pillows too...

"The Witch of Hissing Hill" read aloud by
Domestic Daisy plus sound effects and
cats. I think the angry cat may be
a husband in the background.

Kitty's Protest

Old Greybeard, the wise cat.

        The little white kitten was too sulky for words; she would not be petted, she would not purr, she had not even smoothed down her fur as usual, and here it was almost ten o'clock. Something serious must be the matter. 

       The old gray cat sat on the fence and wondered at the unusual sight as long as his patience would allow, then down he jumped and came over to investigate. 

       "What's the matter, Snowflake? You look as if you did not have a friend in the world." 

       A naughty spit was the only answer; the little back went up and the tail grew large, while the owner of this temper struck spitefully at poor Greybeard, who was in no way to blame.

       "Oh, come, Snowflake, tell me." And then the trouble all came out. 

       It seems Snowflake considered that a certain sunny corner of the kitchen window had always belonged to her, and now this morning she found a row of milk pans there, while Mr. Sunbeam, her own particular friend, was busy with them, instead of giving her the usual sun bath. Oh, it was too annoying ! No sense in it, either. 

       "Why, you poor, ignorant kitten," answered Greybeard; "don't you know the pans were put there to be made thoroughly sweet and clean by Mr. Sunbeam, so the milk won't sour as quickly in them and will taste nice and sweet with your bread at dinner?"

• How the pocket kitten grew by The Dodo
• The Tale of Tom Kitten by Beatrix Potter
• The selfless love of a mother cat from Sunny cat dairy

The Cat, the Rooster and the Young Mouse

"Do not trust alone to outward appearances."

       A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost came to grief the very first time he ventured out. And this is the story he told his mother about his adventures.

       "I was strolling along very peaceably when, just as I turned the corner into the next yard, I saw two strange creatures. One of them had a very kind and gracious look, but the other was the most fearful monster you can imagine. You should have seen him.

       "On top of his head and in front of his neck hung pieces of raw red meat. He walked about restlessly, tearing up the ground with his toes, and beating his arms savagely against his sides. The moment he caught sight of me he opened his pointed mouth as if to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing roar that frightened me almost to death."

       Can you guess who it was that our young Mouse was trying to describe to his mother? It was nobody but the Barnyard Rooster and the first one the little Mouse had ever seen.

       "If it had not been for that terrible monster," the Mouse went on, "I should have made the acquaintance of the pretty creature, who looked so good and gentle. He had thick, velvety fur, a meek face, and a look that was very modest, though his eyes were bright and shining. As he looked at me he waved his fine long tail and smiled.

       "I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the monster I have told you about let out a screaming yell, and I ran for my life."

       "My son," said the Mother Mouse, "that gentle creature you saw was none other than the Cat. Under his kindly appearance, he bears a grudge against every one of us. The other was nothing but a bird who wouldn't harm you in the least. As for the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you escaped with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by their looks." by Aesop

"Mouse Hunt" by Aarons Animals

Mouse bookplates for her or him! Printable for home computer use. Not for sale.

       His and her mouse bookplates for little ones to label their literary collections. Just write each child's name above the mouse graphic, cut out the bookplate and paste it inside the book cover or onto the first page of each book belonging to your child. The designs are by Martha Feller King. You can find more of her bookplates for children here.  Book plates are for personal projects only and should not be redistributed from any other website but this one. Do not sale the images.

Find more free bookplates:

• Bookplates for adults at Christian Clipart Review
• Bookplates for clergy, plus descriptions

Man builds an entire mouse 

village for photography.

Queen Kitten's Birthday Party

It is My Party and I'll cry if I want too!
and the whole song here.

The Queen Kitten

 by Eulalie Osgood Grover

   I am the Queen of all the Kittens.

   I am the Queen! the Queen!

   Come, all you kittens and cats.

   Hear what I have to say.

   To-marrow I give a grand party.

   The party will be in my palace.

   You are all invited from the biggest to the littlest, from the oldest to the youngest, from the blackest to the whitest. 

   So wash your paws and shine your fur.

   Forget your naughty tricks and do not one of you dare be late to your Queen's party.

   To-morrow at one o'clock.

       Does your Queen kitten have a soft bed? Does she have a crown for her head? Will you bake her a cake for her party?

       The supplies you will need to make a cat's birthday cake include: a tiny plastic fish bead, tuna pink acrylic paint, masking tape, a toilet tissue square, white school glue, Mod Podge and a bottle cap of any size.

Left, display your birthday cat's tuna cake on a fancy dish to emphasize it's elegance. Right,
Our cat's kitten smells something wonderful and can't resist taking a peek...

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Clean the recycled cap well; let it dry.
2. Cover the cap with masking tape.
3. Pool the white glue inside of the cap.
4. Soak the one or two squares of soft tissue (Kleenex or toilet paper) in white glue to fill up the interior of the cap.
5. Push the fish bead down into the tissue on the top of the cat cake. Let everything dry.
6. Add more glue to hold the bead securely if needed. Let dry.
7. Now paint the faux tuna cake with acrylics as you wish.
8. Finish the last coat with Mod Podge.

Ideas for your pretend cat's cake from YouTube:

• See how to make more tuna cakes for a cat birthday party
• Oreo has tiny tuna cakes for his birthday . . . 
• Happy cats eat a homemade birthday cake!
• A quick kitty cake for your pet's birthday treat.

       Read below about the cat-tastrophy of a Cat Birthday party!

A CAT'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. 

Mrs. Gertrude Manly Jones. 

A KITTY named Pollie — just over the way — 

Gave a party last week on her second birthday.

It was — so I've heard — quite a stylish affair, 

For the cat elite of the village was there. 

For a week the party was meowed about, 

After the neat invitations were out; 

"What shall I wear?" was a question oft asked, 

And for some little time the kitties harassed; 

At last they decided, without a demur, 

That because of cool weather, they'd all dress in fur. 

In the meanwhile, Pollie was burdened with care 

To get up a fine supper, and nice bill of fare. 

There were grasshopper croquets and truffles to make; 

A lot of fat lizards to stuff and to bake; 

There were mice, to be fricasseed, parboiled and stewed, 

And strong catnip bouillon, and punch to be brewed — 

Oh, my ! Was there ever before a gray cat 

Who had such a weight on her shoulders as that? 

But at last the eventful evening came 'round, 

And everything was quite in readiness found. 

In the old kitchen garden the table was set, 

And a funnier table you never saw yet; 

The tea cups were egg shells ; and turnip green plates 

Were loaded with savory messes and baits; 

A large rutabaga was hollowed out clean, 

And made quite an excellent bouillon tureen; 

The table was trimmed up with beet leaves and mint, 

And festoons of parsely were used without stint. 

As the clock struck midnight, the guests all poured in. 

And you never did hear such a horrible din! 

 The old cornstalk fiddles set up a full blast, 

And partners for quadrilles were taken up fast. 

How the feet and the tails did fly in the air! 

How the sparks glinted off from the soft glossy hair! 

Some cats promenaded; others, played the coquette, 

While a pair on the fence top struck up a duet; 

The ball had now reached its dizziest height, 

When from a near cottage, there flashed a bright light; 

A window was hastily raised with a bang, 

And a pistol-shot out through the old garden rang. 

I tell you the sound of that ringing report 

Put an end to the dancing, the singing and sport. 

The beaux — why, they went just tearing off home, 

And left the young kitties to come on alone.

Kittie Pollie was very much chagrined about 

The way her grand entertainment turned out, 

And although she certainly was not to blame, 

She declares she will never give parties again.

''Belinda'' by Eric Parker

Belinda, the kitten cat, ate-up each and every rat!

 

Belinda by Eric Parker

Belinda was the smallest cat
That ever you did see.

One day Belinda met a rat

Quite twice as big as she.

Now, what are you to do

When a rat's as big as you?

Belinda said: ''I'm not afraid

Of any rat alive.

I'd swallow any rat that's made,

Or two, or four, or five.''

Now, how could she do that-

Such a very little cat?

The rat replied: ''I never knew

A cat as brave as I.

But as for such a cat as you,

I'll make you into pie.''

Did you ever see a rat

Dine off a pussy-cat?

Belinda said: "Superior cats

Think fighting only fun.

Just call a lot of other rats;

I'll eat them, every one.''

Now, don't you think that that

Was a most courageous cat?

Then other rats joined in the fight.

Big, little, short and tall,

Gray, brown, and brindled, black and 

white-

Belinda at them all!

D' you wonder how I know?

Belinda told me so!

Cat Tail

Cat Tail, growing in the marsh,

Thought his Mother very harsh,

Because she wouldn't let him play

With Blue Flag-lilies all the day.

       Assemble a mini doll sized book: Right, is the Cat Tail's illustration and verse. Visitors can collect all the flower illustrations and verse from "Flower Children" to print and construct a small book of verse for their dolls. Simply drag each png. into a Word Document, print, cut out all of the images the same size and staple the pages together at the left edge. Squeeze out some white school glue along the stapled edge of the pages and attach a cardboard cover.

The scientific name for Cattails is Typha latifolia. Read more about these plants here.

• Back to the Flower Children Index. 
• Wild Food Foraging - Veggie Pasta
• How to trim cattails for cooking

Get to know cat tails by New York

 Botanical Garden

Merry little Cat-tails,
Will you tell me true,
Do the fays and brownies
Come and play with you?
"When the moon shines brightly
In the summer weather
Of'en times they dance with us,
Dancing all together."

by John C. Gilbert.

The Naughty Kitten-Cat

 

The Naughty Kitten-Cat
by Florence Crocker Comfort

Naughty, naughty kitten-cat!
Wipe your feet upon the mat.
Don't you see you're making spots,
In the house of little tots?

dolly's scrubbed this whole day long.
Don't you know you're doing wrong
Messing up her kitchen floor?
Go right out and close the door!

Naughty, naughty kitten-cat,
Don't you cry and say spit! spat!
Here's your hat, go take a walk!
No one wants to hear back talk.

Cat's Thanksgiving Day

Cat's Thanksgiving Day

"Give me turkey for my dinner,"
Said a tabby cat.
"Before you get it, you'll be thinner,
Go and catch a rat,"
Said the cook, her pastry making,
Looking fierce and red,
And a heavy roller shaking
Over pussy's head.

Hark! her kittens' shriller mewing;
"Give us pie,' said they,
To the cook, amid her stewing,
On Thanksgiving day.
"Pie, indeed! You idle creatures!
Who'd have thought of that?
Wash your paws and faces neater,
And go hunt! Scat! Scat!"

So they went and did their duty,
Diligent and still;
Exercise improved their beauty,
As it always will.
Useful work and early rising
Brought a merry mood;
And they found the cook's advising,
Though severe, was good.

A Mirror Cat

A Mirror Cat

by Oliver Herford

I REALLY wish you'd all sit still,
And try to hear a curious tale
That happened just the other day.
There is another yellow cat
Who sits behind a golden frame,
And looks so very much like me
You'd think that we were just the same.
Yet, when I mew aloud or call, .
She moves her mouth again to me,
But makes no sound at all.
And to the dullest kitten
It's plain enough to see
That either I am mocking her,
Or she is mocking me.
It makes no difference what I play,
She seems to know the game ;
' For every time I look around
I see her do the same.
And yet no matter though I creep
On tiptoe lest she hear,
Or quickly dash behind the frame,
She's sure to disappear.

12 Magic Changeling Paper Dolls

Cover of "The 12 Magic Changelings"
anthropomorphic paper dolls

The Twelve Magic Changelings 

by M.A. Glen, 1907

The following paper dolls have been cleaned and recolorized by kathy grimm for little ones to print, cut and assemble.

How to Make Mary and Her Lamb:

Cut out the two double figures. Fold on the dotted lines marked AAAA so that the upper part of each of the four figures projects forward as shown in the small picture X. Fold on the lines marked BB where the figures join each other so that the colored surfaces face outward, and then, beginning at the feet, paste the front view of Mary to the back view of the lamb as far as the dotted lines AA. In the same way paste the front view of the lamb to the back view of Mary -- as far up as the lines AA. Now past together the front and back of the upper part of Mary. Then paste together the front and back of the upper part of the lamb. Cut off the letters AAAABB.

Now if the lamb is held by the feet and turned inside out, Mary will appear, and vice versa. Make all the other changelings in precisely the same way.

The Changelings will stand alone. If they do not stand firmly after you have turned them, pinch them slightly along the dotted lines that were marked AAAA.

Don't forget to click directly on the image in order to download the largest available printable.

"Mary and Her Little Lamb"

"Humpty Dumpty and the Egg"

"Tom the Piper's Son and His Pig"

"The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse"

"Silverhair and the Little Wee Bear" or "Goldilocks and the Baby Bear"

"Robinson Crusoe and His Parrot"

"The Lion and the Unicorn"

"The Witch and Her Black Cat"

"Nancy Netticoat and the Candle"

"Santa Claus and the Christmas Tree"

"The Frog Who Would A-Wooing Go and the Lily White Duck"

"Dick Whittington and His Cat"

Raggedy Ann And The Kittens

Raggedy Ann And The Kittens

       Raggedy Ann had been away all day.

       Marcella had come early in the morning and dressed all the dolls and placed them about the nursery.

       Some of the dolls had been put in the little red chairs around the little doll table. There was nothing to eat upon the table except a turkey, a fried egg and an apple, all made of plaster of paris and painted in natural colors. The little teapot and other doll dishes were empty, but Marcella had told them to enjoy their dinner while she was away.

       The French dolly had been given a seat upon the doll sofa and Uncle Clem had been placed at the piano.

       Marcella picked up Raggedy Ann and carried her out of the nursery when she left, telling the dolls to "be real good children, while Mamma is away!"

       When the door closed, the tin soldier winked at the Dutch-boy doll and handed the imitation turkey to the penny dolls. "Have some nice turkey?" he asked.

       "No thank you!" the penny dolls said in little penny-doll, squeaky voices, "We have had all we can eat!"

Color Uncle Clem as he plays a tune.

       "Shall I play you a tune?" asked Uncle Clem of the French doll.

       At this all the dolls laughed, for Uncle Clem could not begin to play any tune. Raggedy Ann was the only doll who had ever taken lessons, and she could play Peter-Peter-Pumpkin-Eater with one hand.

       In fact, Marcella had almost worn out Raggedy Ann's right hand teaching it to her.

Fido has a secret

       "Play something lively!" said the French doll, as she giggled behind her hand, so Uncle Clem began hammering the eight keys on the toy piano with all his might until a noise was heard upon the stairs.

       Quick as a wink, all the dolls took the same positions in which they had been placed by Marcella, for they did not wish really truly people to know that they could move about.

       But it was only Fido. He put his nose in the door and looked around.

       All the dolls at the table looked steadily at the painted food, and Uncle Clem leaned upon the piano keys looking just as unconcerned as when he had been placed there.

       Then Fido pushed the door open and came into the nursery wagging his tail.

       He walked over to the table and sniffed, in hopes Marcella had given the dolls real food and that some would still be left.

       "Where's Raggedy Ann?" Fido asked, when he had satisfied himself that there was no food.

       "Mistress took Raggedy Ann and went somewhere!" all the dolls answered in chorus.

       "I've found something I must tell Raggedy Ann about!" said Fido, as he scratched his ear.

       "Is it a secret?" asked the penny dolls.

       "Secret nothing," replied Fido, "It's kittens!"

       "How lovely!" cried all the dolls, "Really live kittens?"

       "Really live kittens!" replied Fido, "Three little tiny ones, out in the barn!"

       "Oh, I wish Raggedy Ann was here!" cried the French doll. "She would know what to do about it!"

       "That's why I wanted to see her," said Fido, as he thumped his tail on the floor, "I did not know there were any kittens and I went into the barn to hunt for mice and the first thing I knew Mamma Cat came bouncing right at me with her eyes looking green! I tell you I hurried out of there!"

       "How did you know there were any kittens then?" asked Uncle Clem.

       "I waited around the barn until Mamma Cat went up to the house and then I slipped into the barn again, for I knew there must be something inside or she would not have jumped at me that way! We are always very friendly, you know." Fido continued. "And what was my surprise to find three tiny little kittens in an old basket, 'way back in a dark corner!"

       "Go get them, Fido, and bring them up so we can see them!" said the tin soldier.

       "Not me!" said Fido, "If I had a suit of tin clothes on like you have I might do it, but you know cats can scratch very hard if they want to!"

       "We will tell Raggedy when she comes in!" said the French doll, and then Fido went out to play with a neighbor dog.

       So when Raggedy Ann had been returned to the nursery the dolls could hardly wait until Marcella had put on their nighties and left them for the night.

       Then they told Raggedy Ann all about the kittens.

       Raggedy Ann jumped from her bed and ran over to Fido's basket; he wasn't there.

       Then Raggedy suggested that all the dolls go out to the barn and see the kittens. This they did easily, for the window was open and it was but a short jump to the ground.

       They found Fido out near the barn watching a hole.

       "I was afraid something might disturb them," he said, "for Mamma Cat went away about an hour ago."

       All the dolls, with Raggedy Ann in the lead, crawled through the hole and ran to the basket.

Waiting to see

       Just as Raggedy Ann started to pick up one of the kittens there was a lot of howling and yelping and Fido came bounding through the hole with Mamma Cat behind him. When Mamma Cat caught up with Fido he would yelp.

       When Fido and Mamma Cat had circled the barn two or three times Fido managed to find the hole and escape to the yard; then Mamma Cat came over to the basket and saw all the dolls.

Raggedy Ann and a kitten

       "I'm surprised at you, Mamma Cat!" said Raggedy Ann, "Fido has been watching your kittens for an hour while you were away. He wouldn't hurt them for anything!"

       "I'm sorry, then," said Mamma Cat.

       "You must trust Fido, Mamma Cat!" said Raggedy Ann, "because he loves you and anyone who loves you can be trusted!"

       "That's so!" replied Mamma Cat. "Cats love mice, too, and I wish the mice trusted us more!"

       The dolls all laughed at this joke.

       "Have you told the folks up at the house about your dear little kittens?" Raggedy Ann asked.

       "Oh, my, no!" exclaimed Mamma Cat. "At the last place I lived the people found out about my kittens and do you know, all the kittens disappeared! I intend keeping this a secret!"

       "But all the folks at this house are very kindly people and would dearly love your kittens!" cried all the dolls.

       "Let's take them right up to the nursery!" said Raggedy Ann, "And Mistress can find them there in the morning!"

       "How lovely!" said all the dolls in chorus. "Do, Mamma Cat! Raggedy Ann knows, for she is stuffed with nice clean white cotton and is very wise!"

       So after a great deal of persuasion, Mamma Cat finally consented. Raggedy Ann took two of the kittens and carried them to the house while Mamma Cat carried the other.

       Raggedy Ann wanted to give the kittens her bed, but Fido, who was anxious to prove his affection, insisted that Mamma Cat and the kittens should have his nice soft basket.

       The dolls could hardly sleep that night; they were so anxious to see what Mistress would say when she found the dear little kittens in the morning.

       Raggedy Ann did not sleep a wink, for she shared her bed with Fido and he kept her awake whispering to her.

       In the morning when Marcella came to the nursery, the first thing she saw was the three little kittens.

       She cried out in delight and carried them all down to show to Mamma and Daddy. Mamma Cat went trailing along, arching her back and purring with pride as she rubbed against all the chairs and doors.

       Mamma and Daddy said the kittens could stay in the nursery and belong to Marcella, so Marcella took them back to Fido's basket while she hunted names for them out of a fairy tale book.

       Marcella finally decided upon three names; Prince Charming for the white kitty, Cinderella for the Maltese and Princess Golden for the kitty with the yellow stripes.

       So that is how the three little kittens came to live in the nursery.

       And it all turned out just as Raggedy Ann had said, for her head was stuffed with clean white cotton, and she could think exceedingly wise thoughts.

       And Mamma Cat found out that Fido was a very good friend, too. She grew to trust him so much she would even let him help wash the kittens' faces.

Color Fido guarding the baby kittens.

Back to the original stories index by Johnny Gruelle