This is (unfortunately) based on a true story.  When I was a young girl, a close friend gave me a tiny pair of “Hello Kitty” scissors for my birthday.  I had such fun playing with them that I got a bit carried away.

First, I snipped my own eyebrows and my family thought I looked like Jonah Lomu, the New Zealand rugby player (famous for his wonderful speed, despite his size, and also for the number “11” cut into his eyebrows!)  Then the scissors (that seemed to have a mind of their own) made their way to our Siamese cat, Karnak.

Siamese cats are very regal and I simply adored our cat.  I was too young to realise that cats’ whiskers play a vital role in their navigation.  They need their whiskers to judge where they can fit through, and for their sense of balance.  It was quite comical to see Karnak wobbling around for a while and getting stuck in places he shouldn’t.  However, I felt extremely guilty and would strongly recommend that you don’t try this at home!

---

The day I cut the cat’s whiskers

 

Lou! Lou!

What did you do?

We know you did something…

We know it was you!

The cat looks…strange

So, what did you change?

…Something in his feline face…

He’s lost some of his usual grace

Oh the poor, poor kitty!

He’s not quite as pretty:

His whiskers are snipped!

That’s why he just tripped!

I saw him get stuck in the door

That has never happened before!

His tummy was too big for the gap

It turned into a kind of a trap

Lou! Lou!

You naughty young girl!

Why did you do this?

Why give it a whirl?

But I couldn’t explain…

It just popped into my brain

Scissors went “Cut! Cut!”

I didn’t really mean to, BUT…

They’ll grow again quickly –

Oh so long and thickly

And Kitty will get extra treats

And he’ll sleep on satin sheets

I’m so sorry Kitty

To me, you’re still pretty –

No need for that awful stare

I promise I’ll never shave your hair!