Aside from the Jellicle Ball, there was one more thing that the Jellicles had to look forward to.
Once a year, the warranty on the portable stove in the kitchen behind the Junkyard ran out, and the Owners replaced it with a brand new one. The old one was thrown in the garbage, and as the sun started to set, Skimbleshanks and three strong toms carried the strange thing into the Junkyard.
Usually there was just enough gas left in the butane cans that Skimbleshanks could treat the cats to something quite special.
Garlic, oil, bacon, rats, oats and a few different spices – most of the ingredients were picked up from the same dumpster the stove came from.
Skimbleshanks slaved over the stove, while Jenny and Jellylorum kept the curious, hungry kittens away.
It was a huge feast and Skimbleshanks cooked until everyone was full and content – even when Plato requested his fourth helping.
Long slumbers followed the meal, rendering some of the kittens comatose until they'd digested, after which Jenny would insist that they all come and do some dancing to work off the tiny guts they all ended up with.
It was something that Skimbleshanks took great pride in – being able to make the Jellicles so happy.
Even when he burnt his paw-pads off.
