Rusty the Extraordinary, Fantastic and Incredible Cat

When the kids were young and got home from school, they would ask what Rusty did that day. I would always make up something to amuse the. Years later I decided to write it down and this is it.

Rusty the Extraordinary,
Fantastic and Incredible Cat

Written by: T. L. O’Neal

 

Rusty was a funny old cat,

Fat as he could be

The fat would push out the sides when he sat,

Better him than me

 

When he would run,

It would swing from side to side

It all moved with such action,

And everything was jiggling inside

 

When the kids get home

They would say…

“Daddy what did Rusty do today?”

I would think on it awhile and then….

 

I would say in a sheepish way,

Oh, he did many great and wondrous things today

For what can a cat do anyways?

He really did, believe me when I say…

 

He is a Extraordinary, Fantastic

And Incredible Cat he is…

And he can do many tricks,

When it comes down to it, he’s just a wiz

 

He sat in a chair and read a book,

Then he decided to go to the kitchen and to cook

 

He likes to eat his grits,

While he knits

 

He helps daddy to spell,

Although for a cat he does smell

 

He wears a sweater and eyeglasses too,

He’d sits around like a cow, saying moo

 

Now it’s 12:42,

And he’s fixing daddy’s shoe

 

He can do this and so much more,

He doesn’t want to be a bore

 

But he does it all in private when you’re away,

Because if you knew it, what would you say

“Cats can’t do these things anyways,

They just lay around”

 

But he can also sing too,

He sings opera, country, and jazz,

And he does it all with pizzazz

 

He goes fishing with a pole,

Trying to catch supper with Mr. Mole

Mr. Mole is a good friend of his,

He digs up the worms like a pig

 

He watched TV with the remote control,

And it goes click-idy click,

And he jumps all around on a pogo stick

 

This was remarkable in itself

Considering that he has never done it before,

But he always liked to explore

 

He has traveled on a moor

Wondering what it was for

 

He went to Spain

Just to dance in the rain

 

He took a trip in a train

Riding across the floodplain

Just to look at a crane

 

He crossed the ocean deep

The whole time he was asleep

 

He went all the way to Japan

To play the game Pacman

 

He’s walked through swamps knee-deep

Other times he drove his jeep

 

He took a trip in a jet

All the way to France to play croquette

 

For a cat he’s pretty strong,

He does carpentry work…

Although he does it all wrong

 

He did this all in a day,

While at school you were away

 

I know when you’re here he just sleeps away,

And stays in bed all the livelong day,

But that’s just his way

 

He’s a private cat is what I’d say,

We’ll just wait for another day,

To try to catch him if you may

 

Reviews

[L.P. Hawkins]

"He watched TV with the remote control,
And it goes click-idy click,
And he jumps all around on a pogo stick"

Great poem you have here! It is something I hope will be a hand-me-down from generation to generation for your family. But I also hope that this can be read by all others. Really man, your stuff has been amazing me for some time. I think you honed your skill to it's sharpest--time for publication!

[Amanda Crandall]

Fat as he could be
The fat would push out the sides when he sat,
Better him than me

haha I loved it. A playful intro to a very playful poem! Other then that I really have nothing to add that hasn't been said.

[Linda Crawford Ortiz]

This is a very entertaining write that shows such creativity and imagination...can't understand why the kids didn't believe you...hell, I almost believed every word (the knitting stopped me just for a second) lol. I like the pace, but mostly...I just loved the creative ideas you've placed inside them. There's a group out here in cafe-land having to do with kids and their love of reading. I'll try to check it out for you...wait, I'm going to do that right now..."Kids Love to Read Too"...I think you should consider submitting this piece. Can't think of a child that would not enjoy it, maybe even come up with more ideas. Just think of the great pics that could accompany this if it were a child's book!

[Adam Greenfield]

Geez, my cat chases shadows all freakin' day while yours is an international Carmen San Diego? While asleep?! Not fair!

My friend, I loved this one. If I had kids, I'm sure they'd enjoy it as much as I do. Though now that I think about it, if they'd enjoy it a lot... and I enjoy it a lot... that means... I'm still young!!! Woo hooo!!! Let's part- ah, oh, wait a second... I think I pulled something.

[Dawn F Benson]

Love it. Entertained the whole way through. You should do a book of poetry for children.

[Kelley Pascoe]

Kind of reminded me of The Cat in the Hat........smile. This was great T! I bet your kids love it when you tell them such stories? Thanks for sharring.
Kelley Frost

[Antony]

Hey T, This would make a great childrens book my friend. Funny with some great ryhming.
Tony

[Kevin Connolly]

The fat would push out the sides when he sat, Better him than me I would say in a sheepish way, Oh, he did many great and wondrous things today He is a Extraordinary, Fantastic And Incredible Cat he is� He sat in a chair and read a book, Then he decided to go to the kitchen and to cook He likes to eat his grits, While he knits Now it�s 12:42, And he�s fixing daddy�s shoe But he does it all in private when you�re away, Because if you knew it, what would you say �Cats can�t do these things anyways, They just lay around� He watched TV with the remote control, And he jumps all around on a pogo stick He did this all in a day, While at school you were away I know when you�re here he just sleeps away, And stays in bed all the livelong day, But that�s just his way Your kids must think you're the greatest thing since chocolate was invented, Terry. You really are a great humorist. That's witty stuff!

[Lyric Laceile, People A..]

You had me laughing the entire time! This is a riot. "For a cat he�s pretty strong,
He does carpentry work�
Although he does it all wrong ".... What a mind to think this stuff up, and have it all make sense and be nonsense at the same time!! xx Good one!!

[David P. Eckert]

A fun children's poem. A new venture for you? Cool.

Here's a quick variation, if your interested, for the first two lines of stanza 2, keeping the rhythm the same as in stanza 1.

When he'd leave the couch to run
It swung from side to side

Playful is cool.

David

[Katie B]

What a crafty and clever poem about your cat. Have you ever considered this as a picture book for kids? I think it would do extraordinarily well as a kids' book especially since it rhymes and has a nice flow to it.