I recently discovered that some episodes of the Goodies, an old TV series from the 70's (when I was a kid), have been released on DVD. I bought a copy, and last week sat down to watch a few episodes. I'd let the cats out into the back garden so they could have a run round, and Shylock followed his usual routine of popping in and out, to check I'm okay.

Part way through the afternoon, Shylock walked in and discovered me watching TV. He must have liked what was on, since he jumped onto the sofa, and settled down to watch too. This is rare for Shylock, he normally watches TV from the floor, and it usually has to be something fast moving to catch his attention. This particular episode of the Goodies didn't have much fast motion about half the time, but Shylock wasn't bothered, he settled down and actually watched the entire episode. Then I realised what we were watching - an episode entitled "Kitten Kong", in which a white kitten is fed growth formula, and grows to be the size of a Boeing 747. The kitten then proceeds to terrorize London and finishes up climbing and knocking over the post office tower, before being given the antidote and returning to its proper size (typical 70's style humour). And my cat of impressionable age (9 months old) is watching this. You can see his mind start to work -

How can he get hold of this secret growth formula?

What dastardly schemes can he carry out?

How will he (aided by his henchman Falstaff) take over the world?

And how is he going to fit through the cat-flap when he is the size of an airplane?

All I can say is stay tuned to this channel!

Copyright © Rachel Craddock
July 1, 2004