The Tale of Samuel Whiskers

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It has suspense but resolves safely and humorously. For bedtime, it’s best read in a cozy tone and ended with reassurance—Tom is safe, the family is together, and the house feels secure again.

Story Synopsis

Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit is a worried cat-mother with three kittens—Moppet, Mittens, and Tom. One morning, while she bakes, she tries to keep the kittens out of trouble by putting them safely away. Moppet and Mittens are caught easily, but Tom slips off and disappears. Tom has crept into the attic, a dusty place full of old furniture and narrow passages. There he stumbles into the world of rats—Samuel Whiskers and his wife, Anna Maria. They are not friendly hosts. Quietly, they plan to catch Tom and roll him up like a little bundle, as if he were dough for a meal. Tom is frightened, but he’s also quick. He scrambles through cracks and behind boards while the rats rustle and whisper. Downstairs, Mrs. Tabitha searches everywhere, growing more and more alarmed. The house becomes a maze of footsteps, squeaks, and hiding places. In the end, help arrives and Tom escapes the rats’ trap. He’s shaken, but safe—back with his mother and siblings. The story ends with a gentle after-effect: Tom Kitten is a little more cautious around anything rat-sized, and the home feels calm again. It’s an adventurous bedtime tale for kids who like a bit of suspense, followed by a warm, safe landing.

Story Excerpt

Once upon a time, there was a cat named Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit, and she was a very worried mother. She had three kittens—Moppet, Mittens, and Tom—and they were always getting into mischief. One morning, Mrs. Tabitha had baking to do. She decided to put her kittens safely in a cupboard so they would stay out of trouble. She caught Moppet and Mittens easily enough, but she could not find Tom anywhere. Mrs. Tabitha searched the whole house, calling and calling. She looked in the pantry under the stairs. She looked in the dusty spare bedroom. She climbed up to the attics and searched every corner. But Tom was nowhere to be found. It was a very old house, you see, with thick walls and winding passages and little doorways cut into the wooden panels. Strange rustling noises came from inside the walls at night, and things had a habit of disappearing—especially cheese and bacon. Mrs. Tabitha grew more and more upset and meowed dreadfully. Meanwhile, Moppet and Mittens had pushed open the cupboard door and gotten out. They crept straight to the kitchen, where a pan of soft dough was rising by the warm fire. They patted it with their little paws. "Shall we make dear little muffins?" said Mittens to Moppet. But just then, someone knocked at the front door. Moppet was so startled that she jumped right into the flour barrel to hide. Mittens ran off to the dairy and squeezed into an empty jar on the stone shelf. The visitor was their neighbor, Mrs.

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