A Tale

'Twas a midsummer morning and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.*
The family rises from bed one by one
To welcome the bright golden rays of the sun.
They patter to breakfast, tuck into their food,
Give thanks for the sweet night, and pray for the good.
Then, dishes all cleared, they start the new day -
With Dad to the office, the kids out to play.
While Mom to the mirror, retires in despair

To gloomily gaze at her horrible hair

That she thinks is genetic (although it is Kate

and her sharp little teeth who're to blame for this trait).

Then back out to Grandma and Grandpa to visit -

A typical day for the Joneses - or is it?
They sit with the thought not occurring at all:
There might, quite remotely, just outside their walls,
Be something so strange that, with nary a sound
Will descend on their safe little world unannounced;
Is right at this moment, preparing to show
Its terrible face to the family below.

There's no time for warning, no minute to spare -
Poor Joneses, the horror is already there!

Aiyee! Oh, that figure! That form! Shriek! That face!

And fie! There are more there all over the place!

The children! The children! Oh save them! Too late!

They've seen them! It's futile! What terrible fate!

A coup! Infiltration! Invasion! 'Tis war!
There's never been anything like it before!
And worse - how insidious - the terror is shared

With other poor innocents - no one is spared!
Can nothing be done? Can no savior be found?
To capture the enemy, turn things around?
Or, hopeless, must we sit, extremities curled
While mouthless white felines take over the world?

But wait - in the distance, a hero arises-
It's small but determined - surprise of surprises!
Kantankerous Katie, her lips in an "O"
And spouting a string of her favorite word "No!"
To capture the kitties! Surveying the scene,

She's come to the rescue! She's come to redeem!
Sweet mercies! All Toydom is safe! Safe, and sound

And from every throat, celelebration resounds!
Then midst all the cheers, Dad returns from his work
Discovers his household completey berserk.
"A typical pre-dinner scene at the Joneses,"
He thinks as he kisses each one of their noses.

"Fun day?" he inquires. "Well then, lucky you.
What a drag at the office - same old, nothing new:
Just ornery clients - huge problems to clear -
It always seems far, far more peaceful back here!"


*From the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore
**No small superheroes, toys or animals were harmed during filming.