This was written by me and my friend Leithleah, based on T.S Eliot's poems and the musical Cats. Slightly influenced by Dr. Seuss too, I think! We wrote this after seeing a screen-shot where it looked exactly like Macavity was trying to catch a piece of popcorn in his mouth.
"O Shock! O Horror! It's just not fair!"
The cry rattled round Macavity's lair
"The popcorn has gone! Oh, how can this be?
I didn't catch one. What a huge tragedy!"
-
Macavity stared down at his shaking paws
Popcorn impaled on each of his claws.
He'd been trying for hours. In fact, all day long
But his paws, they were weak, and his aim always wrong
-
Catching popcorn in mouths is a hard thing to do
It takes quite a talent, (we know this is true.)
A talent Macavity unfortunately lacks
We're sorry to say, he does not have the knacks.
-
He paced round the room, his fur all in knots
His eyes wide and haunted. He'd tried lots and lots!
He knew someone must do it. But who could it be?
"It is Bustopher Jones who I really must see."
-
The Cat About Town, a qualified eater
Was sitting indoors, his tail by the heater
He thought, "Jolly good! It's eleven o clock!"
And off he went, to his morning-tea spot.
-
Macavity watched him, his eyes shone with glee
"Lots more nice popcorn, for me, all for me!"
He jumped to his paws, and followed that cat
Knowing that popcorn was served at The Hat.
-
Bustopher strutted right down the main street
Heading straight for The Hat, where he'd eat, eat, and eat!
He thought of the delicacies awaiting his spoon
He knew he must hurry, and get there quite soon!
-
Macavity frowned as he watched the Cat hurry
"Oh no!" He thought. "Today's must be curry!
But no-one eats popcorn with curry! Oh my!"
And Macavity looked as though he might cry.
-
But Bustopher scratched his sleek furry head
"I think I'd like popcorn today," he said.
"Sprinkled with salt, and a little bit o' butter,
seasoned with garlic, oh it makes my heart flutter!"
-
Macavity's eyes nearly fell from his face
"Garlic!" He asked, and he quickened his pace
But what did it matter if the corn tasted weird,
So long as it didn't get stuck in his beard?
-
Bustopher pushed open the door of The Hat
And sat at the table reserved for "the cat".
Tapping the wood with his spoon, he cried out
"Popcorn, at once! And after, roast trout!
-
Served alongside the fish, a small cup of cream
Hot herring soup, and I want to see steam!
A smidgen of caviar, and plate of the Special
Please bring it at once, and act like a professional."
-
In wonder, Macavity gazed in a thrall
Then recalled that it didn't really matter at all
The popcorn was why he had come, past the shops
Would Bustopher catch them, so neat in his chops?
-
Bustopher sighed at the bowl of popped corn
"Where is the garlic?" He wondered in scorn
"Oh well," he decided, "I'll throw it away!
The mice they can have it. It's their lucky day!"
-
He picked up the bowl and he gave a great throw
Out of the window, the popcorn did go!
In horror Macavity gave a great leap
And caught one in his mouth, with a surprised little squeak
-
He had done it! Hurrah! Oh hoo-jolly-ray!
The Heaviside Layer smiled on him today!
He'd figured the trick. He learned of the cause
The corn must be thrown from some other Cat's paws!
-
And back to his Lair he went in a rush
And his gang turned towards him, there fell a great hush.
"You must all," Maccie said, "line up in a row,
And popcorn (with garlic) at me you must throw!"
-
So now you know the tale of Macavity's learning
How he used brains and wits to satisfy yearning
I hope you have learned from this story by poets
If you want to catch popcorn, get others to throw it!