Chapter 9: The Old Gumbie Cat

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Suddenly, Munkustrap spun around and shooed everyone away. Still, everyone still nuzzled him affectionately-he seemed to like it!-and ran off. I ran over to sit by Tumblebrutus, of course, who was sitting with Alonzo, and.....Cassandra!

I poked him and whispered "What's this?". He smiled. "Nothing-I don't think she even notices Alonzo is sitting next to her!". I laughed, then my dad cuffed me over the head. "Ow!" I said. I turned to pout, but then my attention changed completely-Munkustrap was standing in the middle of the clearing, with most of the other Jellicles surrounding him, Quaxo being the nearest. He raised his arm triumphantly, and for a moment I thought (like he did) the song was going to be about him. Then Munkustrap sang,

I have a Gumbie cat in mind

Her name is Jennyanydots

My first thought was, HA! Quaxo you are an idiot! And he thought so too, cause he tried to pass it off as having to scratch his ear. My next thought was, hey, this song's about mom! But where is she?

Munkustrap was now describing my mother:

Her coat is of the tabby kind with tiger stripes

And leopard spots

I grinned, when I saw Electra and Admetus dancing together shyly to the song. I decided to make my move, while Tugger was still gone. "Bomby!" I whispered, running over to her and offering my hand. But she just laughed and shook her hand at me, before moving over to sit by Demeter and Jellylorum. I frowned....what was wrong? She said she would dance with me! I sadly just walked back to Teazer. She saw my face and smiled. "Chee' up lil' bro!" she said. "Jus' lis'en ta da song!". I listened-

All day she sits beneath the stairs

Or on the steps, or on the mat

She sits and sits and sits and sits

And that's what makes a Gumbie Cat

I felt a flash of anger. What right had Munkustrap to call my mom lazy? Wait, why is everyone so interested in the TS-E1 all of a sudden?

Suddenly, as Munkustrap sang the last line again, Quaxo raised his paws. The trunk opened! To my astonishment (Pouncival Smartypants, that's the name) my Mom was inside-in a giant furry coat! Not like her old coat, but a REALLY big coat!

That's what makes a Gumbie Cat

Then, Bomby, Dem, and Jelly turned into a trio.

But

When the days hustle and bustle is done

Then the Gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun

They all pointed at my mom, as Munkustrap and Coricopat helped her out of the car, and she began waddling around in that huge thing of hers, the other kittens following her around curiously. What was with that giant coat? But then another horrible thought crossed my mind:

Oh, crap, I was going to have to dance tap in a cockroach outfit! CraaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaap! Oh well, might as well just watch for now. Ooh, look at Teazer, she's making fun of mom! Oh, Dad got her for that.

And when all the family's in bed and asleep

She tucks her skirts to the basement to creep

She is deeply concerned with the ways of the mice

At that, I noticed the girl kittens were putting on mouse masks. Aw, I remember Dad saying something of the real mice not being able to attend. Something about too many cats being scary....(freaky mice)...Ha, Jemima can't get hers on! Then Mom sang:

Their behavior's not good and their manners not nice

Masks on, the girls all sat down in front of her, mimicking the mice she teaches every Sunday and Thursday nights.

So when she has got them lined upon the matting

She teaches them:

Mom pantomimed using her hands-the girls followed.

Music, crocheting, and tatting

I could tell Munkustrap was about to start his second verse. Oh, man, then the dance is coming up soon! Ooh! Better humiliate myself in style!

I got up from my perch and ran out to the hole where we were keeping the cockroach costumes-small black garbage bags littered with coat buttons, and pan hats. I heard Tumble cry "Pounce, where ya going?", but I ran in. I giggled, thinking of my brilliant plan. At least, I thought it was brilliant! Hee hee hee hee hee!

I finally got the costume on and passed all the other cats, who looked at me strangely. I poked my head out, and was pleased to hear the Trio singing:

But

When the day's hustle and bustle is done

Then the Gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun

Time to make my entrance! I sauntered out into the junkyard, ignoring (and savoring) everyone's look of surprise. I took the center of the clearing and waved my hips sensually. It must of worked, because Jelly blushed and Bombalurina giggled! Score for Pounce! But then I gulped when I saw Mom glowering at me. The girls kept singing:

She thinks that the cockroaches

Just need employement! my Mom croaked out, grabbing me by the neck and spinning me around. I was panicking inside as I thought having my back to her would mean-she wouldn't really spank me in front of the tribe, in the middle of her song, at the Jellice ball, would she?

But I put on my best "oh well!" face and shrugged to Bombalurina, who giggled. The trio continued:

To prevent them from

Idol and wanton destroyment! My mom sang, before giving me a sharp smack on the rear. "Ow!" I cried, turning to glower at her, but she merely pointed. I stalked out to join the other "cockroaches". When I got there, Plato was sneering.

"What'da ya do that for, Pouncival?" he asked. "Trying to impress your little girlfriend?"

I smirked back. "Yeah, cause Victoria is gonna love you in that garb," I said. Plato blushed and began muttering. Then, a bunch of tranphare started, and we all walked out. I gasped again-my mom's huge outfit was gone, but she was wearing a new coat - a really frilly orange one! Still, we all formed a line, and saluted her with our forks.

Then we started to tap dance. I found it was much easier to do when your actually performing together. But my feet still hurt!

For some reason, everyone else must have agreed, because we all pushed her out of the way with our turning chorus line. Then we all turned our rumps to her, and she screamed! I giggled, then got another idea. I started to follow her with a fork, but then she turned around.

I jumped. "Mom, hey-" I started, but she interrupted me. "Pouncival, enough of this! Go wait for me on the tire!" she said. I gulped--not good. Last time she said that I couldn't sit for a day. "Mom-" I tried, but she just pointed. I grumbled and stalked off, taking my costume off and sitting on the tire. Asparagus chuckled and I shot him a death glare.

I watched the rest of the dance unfold. Man, try to have a little fun! Not looking forward to what's to come.

"FOR SHE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW!"

No she ain't!

"Thank you my dears!"

Not welcome.

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Done!