The Killer Cat's Christmas By Anne Fine - Chapter 4 | Storybook For Children

1 Jan 2024 · 3 min

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3:04

This YouTube video features Lois Letchford reading aloud Chapter 4, titled “Surprise, Surprise,” from Anne Fine’s children’s book The Killer Cat’s Christmas. In this excerpt, the narrator (a human character) describes being trapped on a sofa by three cats—Lucilla, Lancelot, and Ellie—who insist she stay for their own safety. The narrator reflects on the cats’ playful yet threatening behavior, imagines possible games they might force her into (hide‑and‑seek, “Murder in the Dark,” tiddlywinks), and feels a mix of embarrassment, fear, and resignation. The passage showcases the cats’ personalities, the narrator’s internal monologue, and the whimsical, slightly dark tone characteristic of the book.

Chapters

Hello, Lois Letchford reading from The Killer Cats Christmas, Chapter 4, Surprise, Surprise. So that's how I ended up sitting like goody-two-shoes on the sofa in the front room while Lucilla and Lancelot drooled and dribbled over my brains and beauty. Oh, Chuffy, you're so lovely! Your fur's so soft, and you're so clever. I wish we had a cat. Oh, Ellie, you're so lucky. It just went on and on. I stood for it about a minute or two, and then I reckoned it was time to leave. So I stood up. Quick as a flash, all 3 of them reached out to stop me. I was trapped. No, Tuffy, we promised. Just to keep you safe, you have to stay. I tried to wriggle free. Lucinda shut the door and Lancelot checked the window latch. Ellie could see that I was getting nervous. So never mind, she soothed. Let's think of something to play. Play? What does she think I am, some newborn fluffball? But it was best to know what was going on, so I stopped struggling long enough to listen. What was it going to be? Hide and seek? I hoped not. Most of my hiding places in this house are mine, Mine, mine! How about Murder in the Dark? Step on me by mistake and I will scratch a good chunk out of you. Perhaps they'd choose Tiddlywinks. Better take care. Flick just one wink at me and you are dead. Surprise, surprise! Let's put on a show! Yes! Let's put on a little show! Ellie was bouncing up and down, clapping her hands. Oh, goody gumdrops! I love doing special little shows! I was embarrassed. Ellie, such a drip! But I think I might at least be left to sit up on the dresser and I mean, you can't train cats to act or dance. No one would even try. You might be able to boss dogs about, but never cats. So I thought I'd be safe with special little shows. Well, more fool me.