Stepping inside a wardrobe is an action generally reserved for only the smallest among humans (Quite a squeeze!). For a house cat, a wardrobe can be an entire fantasy land in the shape of an armoire. Therein, temptations may come in the forms of dangling belts and ties.
Comfort comes from the presence of soft clothing, coats, or blankets. The darkness provides the perfect location for a catnap. A wardrobe can deliver on promises of cozy nooks as magical as the stories that C.S. Lewis bequeathed when he ushered us through a fictional wardrobe into the fantastical land of Narnia.
For Lewis’s readers, the magic lay beyond the wardrobe. In passing through, the story’s youngest and smallest protagonist very quickly meets a magical, magnificent talking faun named Mr. Tumnus. The internet abounds with references to Mr. Tumnus. Much of it is literary. Some of it is far less than literary. A great deal of the information about Narnia and Mr. Tumnus has to do with movies. But, it was the character in the book that first captured imaginations.
For some of us, the very idea of a talking faun named Mr. Tumnus was quite enough to make our hearts sing. For all of us, there is a certain someone whose mere existence makes all of the most magnificent choirs across the entire world break into simultaneous songs of joy and adulation.
He may not be a faun, but we will fawn all over him.
He is definitely talkative, and we will listen intently to every chirp, purr, and meep.
He is absolutely magical, and we are spellbound!
Mr. Tumnus is a magnificent, albeit tiny, addition to the Tabby’s Place family. Since being found after having been caught out in the cold and all alone, Mr. Tumnus is now being warmly doted upon by the fabulous staffer and amazing fosterer Tiana. The fluffy, demanding floof of tabby stuff has been talking her ears off ever since she welcomed him. Sweet and snuggly, this mighty moppet is equal parts alarm clock and commander. Breakfast must be at 7am SHARP! Human presence in his presence requires hugs and holding STAT!
Though the language he speaks is catonese rather than English, Mr. Tumnus speaks clearly – and LOUDLY – of the magic that it is to have been found and taken in and to be wanted. Rescued from the wilds of New Jersey, it is now Mr. Tumnus who is casting enchantments. There is magic in the very fact of the choice of his name: Mr. Tumnus. Magically meaningful, his name is strong evidence of the depths and charm that characterize the splendiferous Tabby’s Place team.
Also, splendid, the timing for finding Mr. Tumnus was fortunate on a grand scale. Winter is a harsh mistress, and there are good reasons why white witches and evil snow queens dot the literary landscape. For a little one on his own, outside is a terrifying territory even in the deepest greens and heat of summer. In the starkness of winter, the temperatures alone can be downright dangerous. But, this is Tabby’s Place, and fairy dust floats along the ley lines that lead to the sanctuary. Mr. Tumnus drifted in ahead of snow drifts to warm our hearts. Diabolically adorable, this one saved kitten, no longer hopeless, brings us hope. Having Mr. Tumnus among us is everything we need to defrost our chilly toes and melt the icicles as well as the marshmallows floating in our hot cocoa.
Turn up the volume then click the link to be enchanted by that sweet purr!
Mr. Tumnus certainly does have a fairy elf little face. And the wilds of New Jersey have been known for magical activity for centuries. Perhaps this is the real Mr. Tumnus come to visit and reawaken our belief in magic. He is adorable!