Christmas is a coming in...

Glory) Whoo! It's nearly Christmas! I love Christmas! Or Crittermas, as we animals call it.

Phoebe) What were you saying about Crittermas, Glory?

Glory) Crittermas is an animal's equivalent of Christmas. Hope can tell you more.

Hope) Ah yes, Crittermas! It marks the day when a group of animals (rodents I think) got together and decided that animals needed a special winter festival. Weather this happened before or after the human Christmas celebration is unclear, but what happened was that these animals got together a load of gifts and started giving them out to other animals. Now, these gifts were mostly nuts, which weren't so desirable to meat eaters, so the animals went in search of other things to give. They came across cans of paint, which they used to paint patterns on the meat eaters, so that's why they have such colorful coats. That last bit is probably made up.

Phoebe) You're telling me.

Glory) Yes, but the rest is true. And that's why I love Crittermas, 'cause rodents invented it!!

Hope) Well, it's possible, though I expect if you asked a cat they'd say they invented it.

Glory) Eek! CATS!!

*Runs and hides under the table cloth.*

Hope) Every year on Crittermas Eve there's a celebration, which consists mainly of a public gathering. At Crittermas all animals are neutral so even foxes and such come. It's quite cool.

Phoebe) Hope, if I Phase into a gerbil, do you think that I could come?

Hope) Sure!! Pets and all sorts come, so you won't be out of place. I even think S.U.E.A.C and P.A.W.S come to help keep the peace.

Phoebe) Keep the peace?

Hope) Well, y'know, lots of animals in one place, carnivores and herbivores all in the same burrow, things can get a bit... tense. best to be on the alert.

Phoebe) Ah! I understand. Well, I think I'll go. I never sleep well on Christmas Eve anyway.

Italics) Ooh! I wish I could go, but there's a Christmas party at The Italicing Council.

Glory) Wait a sec, it's SNOWING!!

Hope) Whoo!

*Every one runs outside. Bye people!*