Under the Tree

There was a playfulness that rolled in that year of Christmas. Along with the baubles and bells that hung from the tree, the coloured balls of wool were being collected by little white paws that were winding their way around its stem, as threads plaited in three. 

The joy was not to be found in the presents waiting to be opened, but rather in the tickle of whiskers, the warmth of soft fur and the delightful but coarse licks on her hand from a very pick tongue indeed. It had brought a magical mischief made for just her at this special time of year. 

The mayhem in this busy season had bounced its way into Ava's life in the form of a cute little kitten. Her parents had not been able to wrap or contain the tiny ball of energy, so she had received her present early instead. Delivered and carried across to her in a box, it had been decorated in fetive wrap, the colour of red and green. All tied with a black velvet bow in the hope to keep her little bundle of joy unseen. She had got excited when she saw the box move, knowing that it held something so wonderful and alive inside. There was nothing more she wanted and little Bella was consuming her time in the most delightful of ways. It seemed the love of an animal could provide the perfect distraction to escape from it all.