Animus is a large world with a vibrant history and is home to many exciting, elaborate and sometimes imposing characters.
Although most tales are told from the perspective of Baron von Meowhausen, a Dine Lord and Culinary Explorer Extraordinaire, many of the stories do revolve around other main and supporting characters, as well. By glimpsing the realm from numerous vantage points scattered throughout history and belonging to different narrators, the reader will be able to piece together a more vivid understanding of the whole.
Good Stuff Happens in 1:1 Meetings: Why you need them and how to do them well
Meowhausen and Friends Calendar 2015
1. WORLD OF ANIMUS
CALENDAR 2015
Words: Ken Temple
Art: Anja Coppieters
www.AnimusNews.com
URL
Facebook
2. MEOWHAUSEN & FRIENDS CALENDAR 2015
MAKETHEWORLD A BETTER PLACE CHALLENGE
Dear Friends,
We asked all our characters how to make the world a better place and although their suggestions were as varied as a bowl of alphabet soup,
the common denominator we deduced is that change starts with the one affecting it.To bring about positive change, each of us needs to
be more creative, optimistic, happy and generally positive. Once we attain that, we can share this energy with others, begin a chain-change
reaction and heal the world.
So here’s how to play the EARN YOUR LUCK GAME: the 18th
of every month is a special day. If you carry out the positive action, suggested
by our illustrious models, you earn luck/karma points awarded to you for the year 2016. If you miss any month, for whatever reason, you can
perform an act of random kindness, helping a person outside of your usual circles on December 23 to make up for it.
There is much unhappiness, injustice and greed in the world. Most of this collective suffering is caused by selfishness. Let us join forces and do
something proactive and positive about that!
We all know that Newton’sThird Law (in equilibrium, forces exist in equal, simultaneously-opposing pairs) does not apply to the Balance of
the Universe.The Universe always rights itself in the end, but balance it knows not. Just dessertsWILL be received for deeds of both good and
evil, however, more often than not, the feedback is unjustly delayed and not at all immediate. Still, whatever you call the Light in your heart,
be kind, generous with your love and use these attributes to illuminate the world!The worst thing that can happen is that you make the world
a better place, but are not instantly rewarded. But think about that for a second: is making the world better not a reward in its own right?
Besides, good things are worth waiting for, right?
Game rules:
Follow the simple instructions without bias or prejudice and strive to be happy! :)
Only you will know your exact score and for every person who plays, the best part is: EVERYBODY wins, as the world will become that little bit
brighter!
Don’t just say “Iamagoodperson!” BE that good person. So instead of trying to‘get more than you’re giving’, as the Christmas carol goes:“Be
good for Goodness’sakes!”Go out there, open that heart and BE someone’s Miracle this coming year!
Wishing you a wonderful year!
Baron Meowhausen & Friends
See the description of all the days on the next page of this calendar and GOOD LUCK with earning 100%!
3. MEOWHAUSEN & FRIENDS CALENDAR 2015
MAKETHEWORLD A BETTER PLACE CHALLENGE
SAVE UP LUCK POINTS EVERY 18TH
OF THE MONTH
(OR, IF YOU FAIL OR MISS THE CHALLENGE, CATCH UP ON THE 27TH
OF THE MONTH)
JANUARY FABIO’S LOOKIN’FABULOUS CHALLENGE
Admire yourself in the mirror for at least a minute, give yourself three honest compliments, then treat yourself to something yummy. Get through the rest
of the day, then week, then month, then year unabashed, without a single negative thought about your looks, weight, age, height, or any other‘physical
disadvantage’or stigma society would like to saddle you with. Smile and really enjoy being you! Luck increased by 10 points.
FEBRUARY SWIFT GOBBS’COOK SOMETHING YUMMY DAY
Make one complete warm meal by yourself, without using prefabs and when done, gobble it up in less than a third of the time it took to prepare!
Luck increased by 5 points.
MARCH MEOWHAUSEN’S GO OUT EXPLORING DAY
Get out of the house. Go somewhere, where you’ve never been before in your cul-de-sac or beyond! Do something interesting, out of your routine for at
least an hour. Luck increased by 10 points.
APRIL PUSSINI’S SHARE YOUR SMILE DAY
Offer a friendly smile to the people you meet and see how many faces you manage to light up!The people that count are those you have nothing to gain
from and who expect nothing from you in return (i.e. not employees or other dependents). Luck increased by 1 point with every genuine smile
returned up to 10 points.
MAY SNORRO’S ARREST YOURSELF DAY AKA BULLY A BAD HABIT DAY
How can you self-righteously foil crime, if you are a perpetrator of horrible habits yourself?! As the Greek song goes“you’d better shape up,‘cos I need a
fan...”or something like that anyway! Scrutinise your poor behaviour very critically and kick a bad habit’s tail today! No nail-biting!When driving be sure to
indicate before turning!Wash your paws! Oh, you already do?!Well, wash them some more!! Don’t cough without covering your snout! Don’t eat with an
open yap! Don’t sniff folks in public, even when trying to solve a crime! Don’t eat, drink or sleep and drive! DO read more books! DO learn to play the ukulele!
DO wear a cape, in public, with a giant, red letter“S”to show your support!!! Luck increased by 10 points.
JUNE JINX’ENERGISE WEEK
Find an exercise you enjoy doing and perform at least 10 repetitions of it every day before breakfast for one week not skipping a day. If you can go a week,
perhaps you can go until the end of the year? Luck increased by 5 points.
JULY SILLYPUSS’SILVER LINING DAY
Everyone you meet, just like you, is struggling with some problem. Consider your problem and try to see it in a positive light.This may be hard or even
painful, but do your best to forgive and let go, rather than breed pet hates about how unfair the world is. A positive attitude will help you find the best
course of action in any situation! Luck increased by 10 points.
AUGUST M’PUMBU’S DOODLE DAY
Draw something nice, as best as you can for someone you care about. Present your creation with a flower or cupcake. Luck increased by 5 points.
SEPTEMBER RAVEN’S FAMILY DAY
If at all possible, spend at least a couple of hours with your parents over board games, movies, or better still, just enjoying each other’s company. If you live
far away, be sure to call or at least write a long letter. If your parents are no longer with us, say a prayer for them and look through a family album. Luck
increased by 10 points.
OCTOBER MIRIBELLE’S PLANT A TREE DAY
Ideally, Miri would like you to go out to the edge of a forest and literally, plant a tree of your choice. If you live in a city, however, she will send you luck if you
to get a houseplant, sing your favourite song to it and look after the plant from then on. Luck increased by 5 points.
NOVEMBER PLEK’S DAY OF MIRACLES
Look around you, find someone who needs help and help them in their struggle, however you can. BE the Miracle that person has prayed and searched for!
Luck increased by 15 points.
DECEMBER ANGEL’S SAY A PRAYER DAY
On Animus, believing inThe Light is the first step in a one-step programme to righteousness.Whatever you call the Light of Life inside your being, get in
touch with it! Spend at least five minutes of your busy day on a little honest Heart-to-Soul. It will do you worlds of good! Luck increased by 5 points.
4. JANUARY
2015
THE FURRY
PRINCE OF
PURRSTRELIA:
FABIO
PET CASTING
COMPETITION 2014
MAYWINNER
Read his fabulous story in
THE LIGHT OF LOVE, the
second book in the series
TalesofAnimus
MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week1
29 30 31 1
New Year’s Day
2 3 4
Week2
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Week3
12 13
Letter to Self Day**
14 15 16 17 18
Week4
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Week5
26 27 28 29 30 31 1
He was not naughty by his nature.
He avoided confrontation, most folks would wager.
But his father was a headcase and a tax-dodging crook,
A paranoid Duke, also known as Soondook.
Fabio possessed a fine artistic streak,
That Soondook tried to stamp out, calling Fabio weak.
Still, he couldn’t get his son to follow his lead—
The boy was too kind and not at all driven by greed.
So between mandatory training and charades at the court,
Fabio practiced his acting, whether his dad liked it or not.
Suddenly, through the fog of self-absorption, broke Destiny’s rays,
As the Light of Love guided the young prince to mend his selfish ways.
More than ever, Fabio longed for a life of peace, love and calm,
He was happy and did not wish for anyone to come to harm.
Still, the Duke poked and pushed to get what he desired,
Until, eventually, he found the‘incentive’that his son required.
www.AnimusNews.com
*
*Every last Caturday (Saturday) of the month. Get cosy with a book and read something by an author you enjoy. Picture books and graphic novels don’t
count as reading! :)
**A Bovinian custom, similar to a NewYear’s Resolution, albeit much more solemn. Folks write down their flaws in incremental flagrancy. A reason for the flaw
is given. A solution for each flaw is proposed. Then the list is eaten, regurgitated and eaten again. We recommend skipping the latter parts of the ritual!
5. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week5
26 27 28 29 30 31 1
Week6
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Week7
9 10 11 12 13 14
St Valentine’s Day
15
Week8
16 17
Mardi Gras
18
Ash Wednesday
19
Chinese New Year
20
Pamper Your Pet Day
21 22
Week9
23 24 25 26 27 28 1
“What doesn’t love you back, yet makes you happy?
What lifts your mood, when you feel sad and crappy.
Makes you wish for a second set of jaws,
And extra fingers on your paws?
What do you hide when you have guests,
In case to share you’d get requests?
—*Gasp*Thehorror!
What sits and shivers in your paw?
Youguessedit!
A fat mouse with a soft, chocolate core!”
Unlike his fancy swami cousin,
Swift is not a complicated person.
The inventor solves his problems with mouse power,
And councils those who bring offerings that he can devour.
www.AnimusNews.com
FEBRUARY
2015
IWILL BE MY
VALENTINE:
SWIFT GOBBS
6. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week9
30
Fudashki Day*
31 25 26 27 28 1
Week10
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Int’l Women’s Day
Week11
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Week12
16 17
St Patrick’s Day
18 19 20 21 22
Week13
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
MARCH
2015
THE DINELORD:
BARON
MEOWHAUSEN
Read the start of his fantastic
journey inTHE FAT ADVENTURES
OF BARON MEOWHAUSEN,
FIRST COURSE: THE BAKING
OF A CHEF, in the series
MeowhausentheCat
A master of gravity and time,
Meowhausen was born to cook and dine.
With an appetite deep as the sea,
He takes his diet seriously.
He’s fought ice giants by a glacial stream,
Over a tub of crunchy nut ice cream,
And this one time, with naught but a garland of hissing snakes,
He scaled a wizard’s tower to steal back his cupcakes.
A master chef and a gourmand,
With more taste buds than on a beach lie grains of sand.
His motto is: LIVE FAT, DON’T SIT HUNGRY AND CRYING!
So between meals he is mostly chopping, baking or frying.
His many adventures are merry and truer than true,
For‘tis a deliciously long road, to the pinnacle ofTongue-Fu!
www.AnimusNews.com
*Expand your culinary arsenal by learning a new recipe. Learn by doing!
7. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week14
30 31 1
April Fool’s Day
2 3
Good Friday
4 5
Easter Sunday
Week15
6
Easter Monday
7 8 9 10 11 12
Feaster*
Week16
13 14
Pet a Kitty Day
15 16 17 18 19
Week17
20 21 22
Earth Day
23 24 25 26
Week18
27 28 29 30 1 2 3
APRIL
2015
THE FAT
SWAMI:
PUSSINI
In a sanctum mystical and dark,
Where incense burns and magic sparks,
Mysterious creatures crawl every wall,
And a fat swami glares into his crystal ball.
Sitting upon a twirling cloud, that barely keeps him buoyant,
He peeks into the future, for he is clairvoyant.
He has no time to watch his weight,
For his eyes are fixed upon the dice of Fate.
Cats flock hither from far and wide,
When on important matters they must decide.
Princes, kings and government officials,
Come thirsting for foreknowledge, rich and delicious.
But Pussini is not just some petty palmist—he is a great swami,
He does not work for warm milk and slices of salami.
But for a very hefty fee,
He will tell you what he can see.
www.AnimusNews.com
*When they arrived in Poozestan, the Earth cats brought this spring holiday with them, but just as many humans think that
Easter is about chocolate eggs hidden by a rabbit, the meaning of the holiday got misconstrued, neglected and ultimately
forgotten, until it became, primarily, an excuse for snack binge eating!
8. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week18
27 28 29 30 1 2
World Tuna Day
3
Week19
4
World Laughter Day
5
Cinco de Mayo-maze*
6 7 8 9 10
Mother’s Day
Week20
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Week21
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pentecost
Week22
25
Truth-a-thon**
26 27 28 29 30 31
MAY
2015
WHISKERS IN
THEWIND:
SNORRO
www.AnimusNews.com
He looks like a cross between a broom and a mop,
A well-meaning terrier, who’ll fight wrong-doers
non-stop.
Alas! His logic is also quite‘close to the floor’—
He finds many‘clues’, but has no idea what for.
So,“fight”is perhaps an exaggeration,
He mostly shuffles around and reiterates his
frustration.
He is very persistent and has much to say,
Though more often than not, he just gets in the way.
Complaining is his super power,
As he harangues everyone from his bone mill-tower.
Grinding the offenders’nerve endings into dust,
He will yap from dawn‘till dawn, if he feels he must!
Since crime is always afoot and never sleeps,
His steely stare super-keen, our caped crusader keeps!
Snorro-vision suspects everyone of dark secrets
holding,
And even if unproven (yet), no one is above a righteous
scolding.
He uses his ukulele as a final resort,
To sing at the‘meanies’about how they soon will be
caught.
Everyone will eventually confess,
With enough relentless persistence, under barking
duress!
Though sadly, his methods, inevitably, almost always
backfire.
Still, his zeal and persistence we’ve got to admire!
*Bow-Wowrian holiday, originating in the region of Chiwaw-Waw, involving a maze, mayonnaise and maize stalks.
**Start of the Tell-the-Truth Marathon: tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth for 72 hours. The smallest
white lie and you’re disqualified!
9. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week23
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Week24
8
Be Kind. Rewind!*
9 10 11 12 13 14
Week25
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Father’s Day
Week26
22 23
Sing-wúa**
24 25 26 27 28
Week27
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
JUNE
2015
THE BLACK
KNIGHT:
JINX
Luck seemed to be at his beck and call,
Next to him other cats looked lame and small.
Tongues dripping caustic envy, went on spinning lies,
Like psychotic arachnids that thirst for fat flies.
Some said that in the dark, he’d steal your luck…
Others claimed he was Nosfercatu—an ancient Murrlock*…
But Jinx did not argue or fight his accusers,
Diminish his worth and thereby validate losers.
When tragedy struck and the whole town huddled in fear,
Only Jinx had the courage to help volunteer!
He showed his true colours in the heat of the moment,
Using his luck and agility to silence every opponent.
*AMurrlockisablackmagicpractitioner—lit.afelinewarlock.
www.AnimusNews.com
*Week of Kindness: every day do something nice for someone, expecting nothing in return.
**Sing-wúa: Ratobian holiday when rodents intoxicated with‘extremely mature’Rocquefort cheese sing obnoxiously loud
songs and jump over bonfires, often roasting their fur in the process.
10. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week27
29 30 1 2 3 4
Fireworks Day
5
Week28
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Week29
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Week30
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Week31
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
JULY
2015
THE DESERT
DREAMER:
SILLYPUSS
Between Purrsia and Siam sprawls an enormous sand sea.
It’s arid; it’s yellow and hot as can be.
If you get lost in delirium here and wrung out by thirst,
On your wish list of miracles, what would you put first?
An angel to feed you promises and sate your thirst with hope?
That would not be my first choice. I don’t think so. Oh, nope!
What you need is directions to get yourself ‘unlost’,
A guide, who’s‘been here before’, someone you can trust.
Stricken by thermic fever, you might think it’s just a mirage—
No living cat has eyes quite that large!
You might have a hard time believing,
That something this sun-burnt still can be breathing!
And yet, facts point and scream at themselves—
You are not seeing pink elephants or yodelling elves.
Though his ideas may be‘far-out’and‘trippy’,
Travellers can all learn much from this scrawny, old hippie.
www.AnimusNews.com
11. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week31
31 28 29 30 31 1 2
Week32
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Week33
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Week34
17 18 19 20 21
Day Dream Day*
22 23
Week35
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
AUGUST
2015
THE
TRUE FRIEND:
M’PUMBU
Imagine the fattest cat that you have ever met.
Now, double. No, triple, M’Pumbu to get.
Come closer than ten feet and you’d need a wide screen.
You’d find no“off”switch or button, on this‘eating machine’.
Anything that could be chewed, he attempted to NOM.
Had M’Pumbu been king, he’d have ruled a kingdumb.
But he was not always so feeble-minded.
By an alien shrink ray his brain had been blinded.
Once upon a time, he had a promising career,
And was making‘fat stacks’, as the first feline chocolateer*.
But he had flung himself into danger to save his best pal.
Now he is constantly hungry and timid with a shaky morale.
*The‘chocolate’madeonAnimusisverydifferentfromwhathumanscallchocolate.
ThechocolateofEarthispotentiallypoisonoustocats.
www.AnimusNews.com
*Think of your Happy Place. Now dwell there for at least 5 minutes. If your thoughts are interrupted, start over.
12. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week36
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
Week37
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Week38
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Week39
21 22 23 24 25 26
Head Tilt Day
27
Week40
28
Everblessed Day*
29 30 1 2 3 4
SEPTEMBER
2015
THE
CHAMPION
OF FRISBEE:
RAVEN GOOD
PET CASTING
COMPETITION 2014
JUNEWINNER
Read her adventures
inTHE ROADTO SELF-
ENLIGHTENMENT, the first
book in the series Talesof
Animus
A champion at Frisbee and atTennis Ball,
Raven was a sporty doggie doll.
But it was not for winning that she competed,
Wasn’t spurred on by fears of being defeated.
She fought a battle deep within,
And her struggle was alleviated by every win.
The world stood still, as she leapt and scored,
And for a few brief moments, her worries could be ignored.
Saliva flying everywhere…
And the wind rushing through her hair…
The crowd held its breath, then relief would explode,
As in an ovation tsunami, its appreciation it showed.
But she could not hide forever from her destiny,
And eventually was faced with that, which she did not wish to see.
She ran away from home, setting off on a quest,
That would put every fibre of her being to an arduous test.
www.AnimusNews.com
*Bow-Wowrian National Holiday. Canine pilgrims gather at the foot of Mount Everblessed to celebrate the full moon. Those
who are unable to make the pilgrimage await moon rise wherever they are and sing a song at the top of their lungs. Join in!
13. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week40
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
Week41
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Week42
12 13 14 15
Magic Day*
16 17 18
Week43
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Week44
26 27 28 29 30 31
Halloween
1
OCTOBER
2015
THE CRAFTING
OF AWITCH:
MIRIBELLE
PET CASTING
COMPETITION 2014
WRITER’S CHOICE
Read her adventures
inTHE ROADTO SELF-
ENLIGHTENMENT, the first
book in the series Talesof
Animus
Miribelle was a castaway in a strange land,
With ways she had refused to understand.
Rather than off the pavement a sorry existence to scrape,
She risked everything, so she could the city’s clutches escape.
She found sanctuary and for a while lived all alone,
In an enchanted forest that quickly became her new home.
She learned Nature’s secrets and oldWiccan ways,
Taking to magic, like a flower seeks out the sun’s rays.
But trouble struck in Little Diner—a township nearby.
Herbal knowledge and healing arts were in dire supply.
From the Meowshevik Party arose a potbellied tyrant,
Whose rule was rapacious, ruthless and violent.
The plight of the people upon her heart heavily weighed,
So she embarked on a quest to seek out divine aid.
With her full power unlocked, upon her return,
Miri vowed to make every forest dweller’s fate her utmost concern.
www.AnimusNews.com
*Find some magic in your life and learn a new magic trick.
14. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week44
30 27 28 29 30 31 1
All Saints’Day
Week45
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Week46
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Week47
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Week48
23
Napawleon Day*
24 25 26
Thanksgiving
27 28 29
NOVEMBER
2015
THE CALICO
GAMBIT:
PLEK
Before she was born, Plek had volunteered,
To hold back the tide of what all others feared.
Of course, once born, she did not know,
That into a Saint she was destined to grow.
For every blessing, there exists a curse.
Such is the order of Balance in this Universe.
ForThe Life Light to shine bright and true,
The contrasting Shadow Fate must exist too.
Life does not care how cute you are,
Or hear you wish upon a star.
Caprice and whimsy fade away,
When you are hounded by hunger every day.
While other kittens emulated cuteness from cuddly
creatures,
Plek learned survival from hunger and cold—the
harshest of teachers.
Her life’s pleasures were less than none—
No home, no food and her folks were gone.
Though she was young, Plek had the eyes,
Of one who’s seen many hard lives.
www.AnimusNews.com
*Napawleon Day marks the Victory in the Battle of the Golden Talons and is POOZESTAN’s National Holiday.
She fought with everything she had,
But the‘jaws of life’bit down real hard.
With her faith worn thin, while hope burned low,
Life flickered dim, beneath the falling snow.
But then, just for her, the Angels did sing.
They took the hurt kitty under their wings.
Though she had just a fraction of one life remaining,
In Angelholm she could live forever, without time draining.
No one who met her could have ever guessed,
That this sad, orphaned kitty byThe Light had been blessed.
15. MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Week49
30 1
Thanks Receiving*
2 3 4 5 6
St Nicholas
Week50
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Week51
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Week52
21 22 23
Random Act of
Kindness Day
24
Christmas Eve
25
Christmas Day
26
Boxing Day
27
Week53
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
DECEMBER
2015
THE LIGHT-
HEARTED
CRUSADER:
ANGEL
PET CASTING
COMPETITION 2014
JULYWINNER
ReadherstoryinTHELIGHT
OFLOVE,thesecondbookin
theseriesTalesofAnimus
www.AnimusNews.com
Angel was saved by a miracle of kindness,
Then brought up under wise and patient guidance.
She read a lot and then she taught,
About the hazards of fire and what to do when
you’re hot.
She found that what the world lacked most was
hope—
The‘soothing salve’that helps folks survive and cope.
So afterThanks Receiving*, at every end of year,
She found delight in spreading joy and cheer.
At first to her students and then to the townsfolk—
Sharing optimism and vim that would lighten
their yoke.
With every good deed, Angel’s enlightenment grew,
Until she had a divine vision and felt born anew.
She was determined to spread the glad tidings she’d
received far and wide,
Even beyond the GreatValley Gorge divide.
She’d heard that amphibians there lead a sad,
swampy life,
And said:“That will all change, as soon as I arrive!”
Thus, Angelcakes journeyed into Paddestan,
On a righteous crusade with an optimistic plan.
*In Poozestan, friends and relatives treat the fattest cat they know to an all-he/she-can-eat-buffet, to thank them for their dedication
and hard work. They cheer, as the treats are consumed to encourage their chubby friend on their unrelenting path to purrfection,
thanking them for being such an inspiration to everyone around. Sumo wrestlers are typically in very high spirits around this time.
17. THE FURRY PRINCE OF PURRSTRELIA
Fabio starts out as a shallow, vain princeling, who has few interests outside
of the looking glass. He is at odds with his father—not because his father
is a despotic tyrant, but because he is trying to groom Fabio into a clone
of himself. Fabio is interested in refined pursuits such as: arts, acting and
fame—not the cruel, machismo-driven whims/obsessions of his father.
Then Fabio falls in love and his entire life changes, albeit, not in a way that
meets with his father’s approval.
—Full story published inTHE LIGHT OF LOVE, the second book in the
seriesTalesofAnimus, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in
print on blurb.com
In a fishercats’town, at the edge of a far-away desert,
Lived a maniacal Duke who terrorised all the peasants.
Fabio was this tyrant’s long-awaited, first son—
The Duke had nineteen daughters, all of whom were married and gone.
Fabio had been groomed to be a Prince,
Brought up on fresh chicken hearts and mince.
His life had always been so‘neat’—
He had every toy he could want and all the food he could eat.
The only‘cloud’in his pristine,‘blue sky’,
Was his Papa, the Duke—not a kind sort of guy.
Not quite the warrior that his father had wanted—
Fabio adored his reflection, about which he frequently vaunted.
His cool, azure gaze, could light up a room,
Making flustered young ladies sigh, stammer and swoon.
He had the looks, he had the wealth,
And did not care for anyone other than himself.
Then one day he dropped his looking glass,
And his fortunes turned around quite fast.
He fell in love and in doing so,
Was forced in chivalry to grow.
***
THE LIGHTHEARTED CRUSADER
Having lost her parents at a very early age, Angelcakes grew up at the fire
station, in awe of her heroic, adopted father, Jinx. She aspired to one day
join the ranks of the FireTamers and make him proud. However, as fate
would have it, Jinx sent her on a mission of mercy to the corrupt city of
Red Dot.While Angel strove to educate and rehabilitate the people there,
she had a vision ofThe Light and saw how the peoples of neighbouring
Paddestan suffered, having lost all hope.
Angel embarks on a journey bring hope and love to the people of
Paddestan. Alas! Her spontaneous optimism and goodwill land her in
trouble, as she did not reckon on the insidious presence of the Fiendish
Kabal.The Fiends prefer a business-as-usual status quo and do not take
kindly to a cheerful stranger bringing the people a message of kindness
and peace.
—Full story published inTHE LIGHT OF LOVE, the second book in the
seriesTalesofAnimus, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in
print on blurb.com
When she was but a kitten, a tragedy struck,
That ripped asunder two lives, like an earthquake shatters rock.
A fire had robbed Angelcakes and her brother,
Of a beautiful home, a loving father and mother.
With a deafening roar, the inferno had burned,
And the malevolent smoke, in an acrid cloud churned.
Huddled up in a cupboard, the cubs awaited their fate.
But they were sniffed out and rescued, before it was too late.
Though their bodies were saved from the terrible danger,
By the grace and heroism of a mysterious stranger,
The rest of them needed much longer to heal,
And absorb the full impact of their awful ordeal.
After saving the kittens, Jinx saw that they were all alone.
So he opened to them his heart and also his home.
As his own cubs he raised them, as best as he could,
And taught them that the purpose of life is to always do good.
His terror of flames, her brother could not rein in,
So he became a fishercat and he learned how to swim.
But Angel refused to hide or to run,
And worked to conquer her fear from dusk until dawn.
She knew that flames held awesome power—
They could bring light, or all devour.
To join the Firecats she solemnly vowed,
To honour her parents and do her new father proud.
Looking at her ardent, little snout Jinx had gently smiled:
“I could not be any more proud of you, my child!
If you wish to repay me, for the life which you’ve been given,
Never pass by a stranger in need and we’ll call ourselves‘even’.”
So to help those in need Angel always was eager,
However big were their troubles—her heart was always bigger!
Then she learned of a land boggy, savage and murky,
Where the people were sad and had never had turkey.
She got on a‘choo-choo’to the Abunai Station,
Where all signs said:“Turn back or you might face mutation!”
But she was optimistic and never in doubt,
That she could handle any pranks that the toads could dish out.
For her crusade, she had a noble reason—
Spreading the spirit of the Holiday Season.
So instead of extinguishing physical fire,
She set off to kindle dark hearts, for her calling was higher.
Alas! Amphibians should have been the least of her worries,
As she set paw, deep into Shadow Fiend territories.
But her mind remained clear and her faith stood steadfast,
And in her darkest of hours, she receivedThe Light for which she’d asked.
18. ***
THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT (RAVEN GOOD)
Hailing from a wealthy family, Raven was plagued by uncertainty. On
the one paw—she had everything she could possibly want: the best
recreation, education and a guaranteed cushy future and yet… something
was amiss.
She found out that she possessed the power to feel the moods of others
and even locate folks through their feelings. he reason why, since
puppyhood, she could not shake the feeling that something was wrong,
was because somethingWAS very wrong. Her uncle had corrupted her
father’s once-noble clockwork toy factory and elevated himself, by
trampling on the rights of others.
Having run out of options, but determined to make a change, she sets
of on a defiant quest to Angelholm, to bring justice to her home town of
Frisbee. She does just that, but not at all in the way that she had expected.
—Full story published inTHE ROADTO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT, the
first book in the seriesTalesofAnimus, available on Amazon Kindle,
Smashwords and in print on blurb.com
The daughter of a wealthy merchant,
Raven had been born into a fortune.
But ever since she was a pup,
She felt a chilly vibe that plagued her non-stop.
At first, she had thought this feeling a curse,
Alas! Ignoring it, only made the soul-chill much worse.
And so she strove for understanding,
Challenging stereotypes and her mind expanding.
Eventually, Raven realised,
That her uncle was not at all the dog, whom she’d idolised.
When she learned of his ill-begotten wealth,
Her conscience wouldn’t let her be at peace with herself.
For no amount of shiny stones or gold,
Could fill a hollow life, or drive out that cold.
Though most of her fur was black as the night,
Raven was a creature ofThe Light.
She found that when she focused hard,
She could feel everyone, from Frisbee to Puppydad.
And every time she helped someone,
Her heart glowed warm, like the summer sun.
The words of a cat artisan, whom Raven saved,
Had predicted her fortune and her future had paved.
He told her a myth about the Angels of old,
Who by the Power of Justice protected theWorld.
Thus, Raven embarked upon a perilous mission,
To reach Angelholm and theWinged Ones petition.
After an arduous journey, she came to her quest’s end,
Having along the way acquired a like-minded friend.
A problem is halved, when with a friend it is shared,
And the power of two equals confidence squared!
But the‘end’, as it turned out was only the start,
As the work never ends for those with a kind and pure heart.
***
THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT (MIRIBELLE)
Torn away from her family by a cruel quirk of fate, Miribelle was forced
to become independent at an early age. Rather than fight for survival in
the suffocating clutches of her new environment—living on humiliating
hand-outs and trash—Miri led the town and found sanctuary in a nearby
forest. Here she was rescued by a wood nymph, who became her guardian
and teacher.
Upon the completion of her studies, Miribelle returns to the town of Little
Diner to practice her healing arts. She finds the town languishing in the
clutches of a rapacious tyrant, who is bent on stopping herbs and spices
from reaching the people. She does everything in her power to stem
the low of malnourished refugees, but things continue to escalate and
eventually, spiral beyond her control, as the tyrant sentences folks to hard
labour in the hazardousTofu Mines. Miri realises that she will need more
than a few potions and salves to deal with this‘carbuncle’and embarks on
a perilous journey to petition Angelholm for help.
—Full story published inTHE ROADTO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT, the
first book in the seriesTalesofAnimus, available on Amazon Kindle,
Smashwords and in print on blurb.com
On the outskirts of a tiny village, stands a derelict farm.
It makes up in rustic sturdiness, what it yields in its charm.
In this humble setting Miribelle had been born,
But alas! Her fragile kittenhood, asunder was torn.
As the runt of the litter, she had been rather small,
But her size had no say in her charisma at all.
A little firecracker of boundless vim,
Filled with optimism to the brim.
One day she fell asleep, while playing in a cosy hay stack,
And the caravan, carrying it, left the village, without looking back.
The merchants had not noticed the small stowaway,
And she awoke in a strange town, nothing more than a stray.
Through her unfortunate fortune’s slippery twist,
Miribelle was severed from her family, which she now sorely missed.
The throng of the city she just could not abide,
She cast about for a sanctuary—a safe place she could hide.
With people shoving each other, indifferent and rude,
She ran off to seek refuge in a nearby wood.
At last, among the silent, ancient trees,
She found a tranquil, inner peace.
But she did not always have enough to eat,
So she sometimes made do with mushrooms, in place of meat.
19. One day she ate shrooms that were not meant for eating,
And was saved by a dryad—a serendipitous meeting!
The enchantress taught MiriThe Craft, raising her as her own,
And became the only real mentor whom the young she-cat had known.
Miri displayed a natural aptitude for healing,
Her instincts were sharp and her mind supple and willing.
Alchemical formulae and ancient Reiki runes,
Were passed down to Miri over the course of many pale moons.
She learned botanical secrets and every herbological spell,
Mastered artefacts, such as the Boom Broom and the Dispelling Bell.
With her training complete, she became more outgoing.
Crowds still made her uneasy, but now her anxiety was no longer showing.
She began to venture into town,
To help others with the new powers that she’d found.
But then ascended a tyrant who ruled by the claw,
He forced the people into theTofu Mines and passed his greed into law.
He put a ban on all medicine, herbs and on spice,
The people were fed a steady diet of propaganda and lies.
Unable to keep up with the flood of damage, wrought by his ruthless
campaign—
However many people she healed, still far more were in pain,
She embarked on a quest, to seek help from on high.
She knew the way to Angelholm would be hard, but she just had to try.
***
THE FAT ADVENTURES OF BARON MEOWHAUSEN
Claiming to have had a unique peek into the feline psyche, the narrator
seeks to explain the wilful laziness and other mysterious customs and
habits of cats: a long time ago, Baron von Meowhausen came to visit
the cats of Earth from the realm of Animus to teach the Earthlings the
importance of abundant eating and energy conservation. He had been
to the future of Earth’s felines and came to warn his malnourished,
hyperactive brothers and sisters that if they do not revert to lazy, feline
ways, their race will be dominated and ruled by rodents centuries ahead.
To illustrate and educate, Meowhausen recounts some of his adventures,
while stuffing his face with every comestible item on hand.
—Full story published inTHE FAT ADVENTURES OF BARON
MEOWHAUSEN, the first‘course’, TheBakingofaChef, in the series
MeowhausenTheCat, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in
print on blurb.com
Somewhere, deep inTime, sails a Feline Dine Lord,
Who has, at some point, every good kitchen explored.
Though he may not cast magic, or conjure up spells,
He certainly IS super-feline in refined food tastes and smells.
For months he had travelled without any rest,
Exploring far-away towns, with adventure obsessed.
Excitement he found and opponents galore,
But the sun and the wind made his fuzzy head sore.
He hated time‘wasted’on monotonous travel,
And having soft paws chipped by nasty, sharp gravel,
So he designed and constructed the Lardis Sand Box,
That, by the Power of Bacon, could take over clocks.
He could go anywhen and anywhere,
By just scratching sand from here to there.
A conveyance of luxury and style,
Preserving his broad rump and large, smug smile.
He did not learn his craft by idly talking,
And would not waste his precious fat on walking.
Leaving plenty more time for scrumptious meals,
Without enduring any more tedious ordeals.
He gained special powers from a cake that he ate,
So when needed, he could multiply his significant weight.
And villains throughout time, his weight did feel—
Don’t get between a fat cat and his chosen meal!
He travelled through Poozestan and the lands far beyond,
In search of recipes and spices, because of great food he was fond.
He metTongue-Fu masters. He learned and he taught.
He observed history in the making and he untangled its knots.
***
UPCOMING BOOKS:
TheFatAdventuresofBaronMeowhausen
Second Course: Impossible-ish Quests Continue
Planned release date: March 2015
Meowhausen returns to Earth to tell the alley cats about their‘future
history’s’improvement and more about his travels through the history-
tendrils of Animus. Many unforgettable cat customs are imparted through
Meowhausen’s unbelievable narrative, as well as lessons, such as:‘how to
hairball right’are taught unapologetically to his captive audience.
TalesofAnimus, Book 3: Fanciful Fables
Planned release date: May 2015
Meowhausen’sWaggishMusings
An Omnibus of Short, FatTales
Planned release date: July 2015
This book will mostly comprise anecdotal episodes and highlights from
Meowhausen’s multifarious adventures. Most stories here will be bite-sized
scenes, thoughts and experiences—ranging in length from a single stanza
to a couple of pages, at most.
All books are available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in print on
blurb.com
For up-to-date information, follow Meowhausen and friends on Facebook:
fb.com/AnimusNews
20. JANUARY FABIO
APRIL PUSSINI
JULY SILLYPUSS
OCTOBER MIRIBELLE
FEBRUARY SWIFT GOBBS
MAY SNORRO
AUGUST M’PUMBU
NOVEMBER PLEK
MARCH MEOWHAUSEN
JUNE JINX
SEPTEMBER RAVEN GOOD
DECEMBER ANGELCAKES
