Chateau Des Chats

By Christine A. Mathews

The story opens with the introduction of a cat named Ris, who flees the safety of her family to embark on a mission to tell other cats not to kill birds. She quickly joins forces with two other felines, and they all set off for an adventure in New York. There are numerous other cats that fade in and out of the storyline along with some humans who provide the counterpoint of goodness and evil.

There is certainly no lack of imagination in Christine A. Mathews quirky at times crossing into hallucinogenictale about a collection of traveling
cats and their adventures in the big city.

Chateau des Chats teeters between charming and bizarre.

Mathews is a creative writer. She does a fi ne job of crafting distinct personalities for her feline friends...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 25, 2008
• ISBN: 9781465330475

Christine A. Mathews

AUTHOR BIO COMING SOON.

Book preview

GOT THAT RHYTHM OF

THE ROAD

Ris was a fine Bobcat, or so she thought. She was really a Manx who wandered when she was a babe into the warm breast of the Bobcat family. After ten days with her new family, she decided she was a Bobcat!

With wonderful wisps at the tips of her ears and gigantic paws making marvelous prints in the late snow, who could deny her this expenditure?

Ris was on a mission to tell cats not to kill birds, especially wild songbirds. It was just before dawn and the morning’s moon guided her path. Ris was journeying into the world to bring song to the felines. And what a journey it was for Ris, being the runt of the litter, only four weeks old and having yet to utter a word.

When the full moon awoke her to the start of her mission, she snuck away from the Bobcats without a goodbye kiss or so long hug, knowing if she did so, she wouldn’t leave. She would miss their loving comfort, their warmth and cuddles, their milk. But she heard the calling and headed down.

KYRIE ELEISON

Mama Bobcat awoke to the extra silence. The soft snoring that gave rhythm to her nightly dreams was no longer heard. She counted her family and knew who was missing. She woke Dada Bobcat.

You knew she would go, Dada Bobcat spoke with wisdom, She’s a Manx.

She would have made a fine Bobcat, Mama Bobcat resisted.

She has to make her way in this world and find out who she really is, Dada Bobcat spoke again. She’s a Manx, he stressed.

Kyrie eleison, Ris, Mama Bobcat whispered in the wind.

Kyrie eleison, Dada Bobcat echoed.

WINDS OF MARCH

Ris traveled all day and night without too much to mention, except the growling in her stomach. Occasionally, she would stop, look back and be astonished at her enormous paw prints. It pleased her.

As the sun began to set, she found a bed of needles under a pine tree, laid down and fell asleep. She slept for three days and nights as friends came to visit her.

Dod Deer and Belly Bear were the first to come. They stood guard, wondering where the runt came from and where she was heading.

Is she a Bobcat? wondered Dod Dear out loud.

I can paint her fur tips with the last of my sweet molasses and golden honey, Belly Bear suggested. And then laughed, Then at least she’ll look more like a Bobcat.

The next two to visit the sleeping runt were Sandy Salenewt and Cherry Chipmunk. They placed berries in her mouth in case she was hungry. Ris chewed and swallowed in her sleep. Ethan Green Eagle came next, placing a necklace of crocus around her neck.

SNOW IS COLD, RAIN IS WET

When Ris awoke on the third day, there were two like her staring down at her.

You slept late! one spoke.

Sun’s been up three minutes, spoke two.

Ris yawned.

Your breath stinks! one criticized.

That’s not nice, objected two.

Not hers, yours. Hers smells like berries. Yours smells like a backed up sewer., one said, My name is Cee Cee kid, Cee Cee added, winking at Ris with her hypnotic green eyes that glistened in contrast to her long snow white fur as it blended in with the surroundings.

I’m Net, said Net, who seemed the opposite of Cee Cee with short black fur and piercing blue eyes.

Ris’s stomach growled.

Whose was that? asked Cee Cee.

Then all three of their stomachs growled.

We need food fast! said Net.

Follow me, Cee Cee leaded, I know where we can find something to eat.

They wandered through a group of trees scattered about. Ris found a small stream coming from a huge melting snow bank. She stopped and took a drink from its cool sweet freshness. Cee Cee and Net did the same. The brisk water invigorated them and quickened their steps.

They wandered some more until they came to a bit of clearing.

Here’s where we’ll find food! Cee Cee declared.

They split up and began to search. Ris saw something—a ripped open plastic bag that read, ‘Glenda’s Barbecue Munchies.’ Ris sniffed and then tasted. She licked her lips and finished every crumb. She then spied an open box with hand written words—‘Maggie’s Kitchen Ho Ho’s, love Silvia. She finished her dessert and then saw something metal off in the distance by a rotting tree.

Curious, she walked up. It was a crushed can with the words, ‘Budwie Bee’ from what she could make out. She sniffed and quickly stepped back. There was a snap and a sharp pain in Ris’s left rear paw. There was another snap—and then another. What a terrible situation the three were in now.

The sky became overcast and there was a great clasp of thunder, followed by sharp streaks of lightning and more thunder—and then the rain. The rain came down in heavy white sheets. There they were in the storm—three