r. Whiskers and the Cuckoo Clock

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

Lady Angela of Alpine Castle had a pet cat named Mr. Whiskers who was acquired from a friend who moved away temporarily. But later, the friend notified Lady Angela that she would not be coming back for some time and that her cat, Mr. Whiskers, needed a new home.

Lady Angela and Mr. Whiskers soon became fast friends. Mr. Whiskers had free reign of the entire Alpine Castle and the courtyard. However, Mr. Whiskers started to watch the cuckoo clock in Lady Angela’s study. The more that Mr. Whiskers watched the cuckoo clock, the more he thought that the cuckoo bird in the clock was real. Mr. Whiskers liked birds and looked like he was deciding to eat the wooden bird in the clock that popped out every hour, on the hour. Mr. Whiskers was very patient and Lady Angela noticed that he kept staring at the little door that would automatically open when it was time for the bird to come out and announce the time.

Finally, the day came when the cuckoo bird was supposed to pop out, it was not there. Only a small wooden stick where the bird used to be mounted was there. The wooden cuckoo clock bird was later found in Mr. Whiskers’ bed. Mr. Whiskers must have been the guilty party.

Lady Angela asked the Baron if he had any suggestions as to what to do about Mr. Whiskers and the cuckoo clock bird. The Baron had a unique suggestion. He asked the baker to make a small cookie in the shape of the cuckoo bird. When that was done, it was placed in the clock and when the hour struck, if Mr. Whiskers wanted to eat the bird, it would only be a tasty cookie that the cat would like.

The cookie bird plan worked out well for a while, but later the cat became disinterested in the cookie birds and that was the end of it. So Lady Angela was able to put the original wooden cuckoo bird back into the clock.

Mr. Whiskers left the clock alone, but every so often, Lady Angela noticed a special gleam in his eye when the little bird popped out of its door.

The Baron tasted the little cookies in the shape of the cuckoo bird and liked the taste. He decided to have the baker make up a special batch for himself, to be served with his morning coffee with Lady Angela.