Long ago before tabbies and calico all cats had fur as white as snow there was the first cat who had fur as white as snow for Halloween every cat was so alike that they had to wear collars to tell one apart from the other some wore yarn around their necks some wore ribbons others wore colourful lace and those who lived with wealthy wore rich gemstones around their necks for Halloween this had always been the case and because they could tell each other apart the white cats all got along as well as some cats do however it was during October that one white cat by the name of Bartok was biting and clawing at his blue lace collar in a desperate attempt to get it off for he gotten in trouble with the king’s cat because he had beaten him trice at Tolah tale and he declared that Bartok had cheated and was able to peek at the cards he was demanding the catnip wine and money and that Bartok be thrown in the dungeons for his cheating Bartok in truth had just gotten really lucky and pretended to be able to see the cards to get a laugh out of some of the servants to get regardless the king’s cat wanted Bartok in the dungeons and so Bartok was running and hiding for his nine lives Bartok had just avoided the guards when he bumped into a witch by the name of Agatha who was fetching water from the local well to use in her potion brewing well what has you fur all ruffled up my friend? she asked the panting Bartok as she offered him her bucket to drink from who wouldn’t be as destressed as I am when my coat is on the line because the king’s cat wants me thrown in the dungeons for a bit of harmless fun he replied between sips of water and he told the witch his whole story about how he played Tolah tale and how he could make servants laugh pretending that he could see Alexander the king’s cat’s cards Agatha listened and nodded having a soft spot for cats she wanted to help Bartok sounds like you’re in a bit of a tight corner she said as she walked back to her home with Bartok following close behind her nodding his head in agreement if I had a way to either convince him that I was just joking or scare him away then I wouldn’t have to spend every day watching my back then he said as he followed her inside her cottage and rubbed his body against her broom that got Agatha thinking this is my second story on the list maybe there is a way you can do that she mused as she filled her cauldron with the well water the light was very bright if you had a little bit of magic just enough for some flash then Alexander and the king might be scared to throw you in the dungeon Bartok nodded with a purr for that was certainly a most sensible idea could you give me some magic? he meowed politely now Bartok was a sensible cat spending his days going from place to place however he was truly happy in the village and the people liked him because he was a champion mouser and rat catcher the people liked him and he liked the people he had even done Agatha many favours and always lent a helping paw when it was needed a little fairy appeared of course she was called Eloise I’ll be happy to give a little bit of magic for you have done many good deeds for everyone in the kingdom Agatha replied as she stroked his soft white fur which got a bashful purr or three from Bartok there was a wizard in the kingdom might I suggest that you change the colour of your fur to something that stands out along with the magic you’ll soon have? Eloise the fairy took Bartok to the dressing room Bartok nodded eagerly in agreement I like the sound of that he replied between you can me I was getting tired of the colour white and with that he dashed out of the cottage and visited the local wizard good day to wizard may I borrow some of your time to have my white coat painted? he meowed as he hopped onto the stool that is an unusual request Bartok the wizard replied the painter replied as he set his palette on the table but I’d be more than happy to do it what colour would you like it to be painted? Bartok looked at the many colours on the wizard’s palette but the colour he found himself drawn to was black kind wizard may I please have my coat painted black? he asked and the wizard did just that and painted Bartok black from the tips of his ears to the tip of his tail the wizard had even painted his nose and paddy paws black Bartok looked at his new coat over in the mirror he much preferred this colour than white of his original coat he much preferred this colour than the white he thanked the wizard and paid him with a diamond Bartok returned to Agatha’s cottage and could smell the sweet smelling brew in the cauldron what do think of my new coat? he asked as he posed and spun in his black coat heh I think it suits you much better than white Agatha replied as she stirred a handful of spices into the bubbling brew it was almost ready for the now black cat there was some treats on the table Bartok smiled and did the sweeping for Agatha as she brewed the potion that would give him magic I warn you when you drink this potion and you have your magic the treats were very tasty many people will either like or hate you Agatha said as she scooped a ladleful of the potion from the cauldron Bartok ran his pink tongue over his jaws Bartok ran his pink it was a risk but he had nine lives for a reason I accept this fate and the troubles that will come with it he replied as he watched her pour the ladleful of potion into a saucer for him the treats are on the table they are some sweets Bartok politely lapped up the potion it was warm and sweet like catnip on his tongue as he drank he felt all full of vim and vigour like he had eaten some gingersnaps when he finished the potion his fur had fluffed up from the tips of his ears to the tips of his tail the sweets were very beautiful he tapped his paws against the floor what kind of magic do I have? he mewed eagerly like a kitten on its birthday a little bit of luck magic and some conjuring with a dash of misty step Agatha replied as she dusted her apron off Bartok thanked her multiple times Bartok thanked her and spent the majority of October dashing to and for practising his magic he skilfully avoided the guards left and right preparing for when he would make his grand entrance at the castle on Halloween there was a little party in the castle when Halloween arrived he woke up extra and strolled about town giving people in the village good luck he hummed a silly autumn tune and clicked his heels together feeling quite cheerful many other cats saw him strolling about and they decided to colour their coats as well some chose tabby strips others chose spots and some chose calico splotches some of the cats on the other hand preferred to have white coats but they found it interesting that many were changing their colour at breakfast on the dot it was the middle of the story Bartok appeared before the king and Alexander good morning to sire and Alexander he said as he bowed respectively at the sight of Bartok the wish was granted by the king Alexander spat the milk on the carpet the magic was very strong B Bartok? what happened to you? he stuttered as he looked at the former white cat Bartok ginned a Cheshire grin the world was very magical oh just strolling about I came to tell you that I didn’t cheat when I played Tolah tale with you he replied politely and he saw Alexander glare at him but he wasn’t worried the cat were dressing up for Halloween I don’t care Alexander hissed if I say you cheated then you cheated and I want you thrown in the dungeon he arched his back and hissed fluffing his white fur coat up there was a little child in the castle at this Bartok snarled and with a tap of his left paw a small storm cloud appeared over Alexander’s head looking like it was about to rain on him at any time