December 20th, 2022

Trim the tree with Rats.
Trim with prim little rodents.
Dim lights…beady eyes.
We've all heard the stories of Santa Mouse. But what of his brother Rat? Santa Rat is in desperate need of recognition; could we not ration a second crumb of cheese on Christmas Eve? At any rate, an ounce of well-wishing would be dearly received.
Members of our Society have begun a sweet new tradition in light of this call: the Rat Branch. When the Christmas tree is first selected, and decoration begins, the youth of the house reserve one sprig of the evergreen that will be preserved from tinsel, lights, or other decor. It is left empty so that, on Christmas Eve, a Rat ornament may be placed on the branch by the most beady-eyed in the household.
When Santa Rat scurries out of Father Christmas' pocket in the dead of night, squeaking with his brother Mouse as the threesome drops off treats and gifts for their respective species in honour of the great impending feast, upon glimpsing the sign of confraternity in the tree, he will halt gleefully in his tracks. Santa Rat will pause, take a deep breath of gratitude, and limber up the decorated lumber to appraise the likeness.
Santa Rat will place his signet paw into his pocket of soot, to mark the ornament with his approval.
Santa Rat will smile. Santa Rat will squeak. Santa Rat will leave a gift for his human supporters; a gift that transcends the wall between Rat and Man, that shows a glimmer of the friendship that could exist, if only more Men would stick out their hands to Rats, and be met with a furry embrace.
Do you find inspiration to participate in this tradition of benevolence, mission, and mirth?
It adds so much to the tree.
What are ornaments without Rat-men? So. So little. So meaningless.
Is there any singular item which is more conducive to merriment than a jollily bedight rodent gracing the greenery?
Such a multitude of reasons to add the Rat to the wreath.