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.