🗼 The Lighthouse Cat

On a rocky island, in a tall red-and-white lighthouse, lived a cat named Captain Marmalade. He had orange fur, a sailor's cap and a very important job.

Every evening, when the sun went down, Captain Marmalade climbed the spiral stairs. One hundred and one steps! At the top, he pressed a big brass button with his paw, and the great lamp began to glow and turn.

Round and round went the light, sweeping across the sea. It told the boats, "Here are the rocks. Steer safely past, and home you go."

One night, a thick fog rolled in. It was soft and grey, like a blanket made of clouds. The light could hardly shine through it. Far away, a little fishing boat was looking for the harbor.

Captain Marmalade had an idea. He pulled the rope of the old foghorn. Hoooonk! It sounded across the water. Then he rang the lighthouse bell, ding, ding, ding, so the boat could follow the sound.

Slowly, slowly, the little boat came through the fog, following the bell and the honk, until it reached the calm harbor. The fisherman waved his hat. "Thank you, lighthouse!" he called.

The next morning, the fog was gone and the sea sparkled. A basket arrived at the lighthouse door with a note: "For the lighthouse keeper." Inside was the freshest fish breakfast Captain Marmalade had ever seen.

He ate it slowly, looking out at the waves splashing on the rocks, and purred like the hum of a happy engine.