(Just to prove I’m not a complete Humbug; best read aloud to a young one)
Mr. Whiskers tentatively Poked out his snout Round the sofa leg Whiskers quivering
Before, there’d been a thumping and Much clumping from up above He’d been asleep, not stirring When suddenly disturbed
A whoosh of soot A loud landing “Achoo!” Achoo!” Sneezeled Mr. Whiskers
He heard some rumbling All around the room and A low, low chuckling He had to see it
Bravely, he stuck out even More than just his snout Flashes of red, flashes of white What an amazing sight!
A chair creaked, then Some sipping and chomping And then, AND THEN! Five big cookie crumbles fell!
Whiskers waving wildly He scurried to the feast; then Sated, satisfied and sleepy He slept away an entire day
James Floss
This article appears in Flash Fiction 2020.