This is the tattered tale of a cat called Jim.
He was ragged and scared and painfully thin.
It started when his owners bought a kitten that year.
Soon Jim was forgotten, unwanted, thrown out on torn ear.
Spent his time, touring bins, but they offer a little picking.
If seen by the humans, he cowered away from a kicking.
Shaken and frozen, famished day and night.
Poor moggy Jim lived out his plight.
Then one fateful eve, when this destitute kitty was near his end.
He limped to a warm spot for this time to spend.
Upon a warm grate, he curled up his scrawny lot,
And drifted into dreams right there on the spot.
He dreamt of smiling faces and cuddles and bowls of fish,
He dreamt of strokes, a fully warm belly, and his own milk dish.
He dreamt of being lifted and floating in the air,
He dreamt of loud music, coloured lights and an red armchair.
On and on, as he slept, the perfect dream persisted,
Then Jim realised he was awake, this wondrous place existed!
For he had found rest beside the stage door,
The theatre caretaker taking him in as rain began to pour.
Slowly, he nursed Jim back to life,
Fed him, cleaned him, no more strife.
"It's good to see you alert, ma old fella,
It was touch and go there, I'll tells ya!"
"This is your home now. You'll be safe, warm and fed." Frank the caretaker told him.
"Anyone who finds their way to our door, will never be out on a limb."
"But you'll need to earn yourself a wage.
By greeting people, and keeping rats from the stage."
Frank smiled and stroked the furry face. "What you think on that?"
Jim blinked and purred. A whole new start. He was now a Theatre Cat!
