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S e c r e t s
The local cats are carolling in the village square. All the moggies
are of indeterminate heritage and are wearing mittens and scarves,
except for a Siamese bundled up in a coat. The Siamese sits on a box
of cat food labelled “Catto Meet Tonite.” His tail droops
down dangerously close to a sizzling brazier of “Perry’s Hot Chestnuts.”
The brown cat in earmuffs atop the brazier is just now
beginning to realise it’s a little hotter than he originally thought.
Under the brazier, a squirrel keeps warm and nicks some of the
produce. Notice the three sheep peering out of a doorway just behind
the brazier. On the other side of the tile, tacked to the
donkey’s stable, is Bo Peep’s wanted poster offering a reward for their
return. Above the door hangs a sign “No room,” recalling
the circumstances of Christ’s birth, when there was no room at the
inn. A badger and a hound glare down from their windows, doubtless
asking to keep the caterwauling down. The entire scene is lit by a
bright moon and a sprinkling of stars, which grace the tip of the Christmas
tree.