Tristan Olsson and the Three Fluffy Cats — A Whimsical Adventure through Slipperyham Park

Once upon a time, there lived a cheerful boy named Tristan Olsson. One bright afternoon, he decided to visit his friend Tommy Cox and thought he’d save time by taking a shortcut through Slipperyham Park.

But soon, Tristan found himself hopelessly lost among towering trees. He reached into his bag for comfort, hoping to clutch his beloved stuffed toy Donkey, but to his horror, Donkey was missing! As hunger gnawed at him, Tristan’s worry deepened.

Suddenly, a peculiar sight caught his eye—a fluffy cat wearing a green skirt darting between the trees.

“How odd,” Tristan thought.

With no better option, he followed the curiously dressed cat, hoping it might lead him out. Instead, it led him to a clearing where houses made entirely of food stood: one of courgettes, another of cakes, a third of fruit gums, and one of jelly babies.

Tristan’s stomach rumbled at the sight.

“Hello? Anyone here?” he called.

No answer. Just as Tristan considered nibbling a chimney, a sharp cackle broke the silence. A witch emerged, holding a cage—and inside was Donkey!

“Donkey!” Tristan cried. “That’s mine!”
“Not anymore!” the witch sneered.

Before Tristan could protest, three fluffy cats entered the clearing—the first in the green skirt he’d seen earlier.

“That’s Donkey,” the witch told them.

“I want it!” demanded Big Cat, the one in the green skirt.

The witch chuckled and said she’d release Donkey to anyone who could eat an entire front door of any house.

Big Cat went first, munching on the cake house door, but with every bite, he grew rounder until—

“Help!” he screamed, rolling away like a giant snowball into the forest.

Next was Average Cat, who picked the fruit gum house. But after a while, she turned greener and greener until a passing woodcutter mistook her for a talking bush and carried her off!

Then came Little Cat, tackling the jelly baby house. After several bites, he let out a tremendous burp that shot him into the sky like a rocket—never to be seen again!

The witch smirked.

“I win. Donkey stays with me!”

But Tristan stepped forward.

“I haven’t had my turn. I’ll eat the courgette house door.”

The witch scoffed, but the woodcutter, still nearby, insisted,

“Fair’s fair. Let the boy try.”

Tristan gathered sticks, built a small fire, and toasted pieces of the courgette door, eating slowly and wisely, allowing time for digestion between servings.

Bit by bit, sitting by the fire, Tristan finished the entire courgette door.

The witch stomped in frustration, accusing Tristan of cheating, but the woodcutter raised his axe.

“Hand over Donkey, or I’ll split your broomstick!”

Grudgingly, the witch freed Donkey. Tristan hugged his beloved toy tightly. As a keepsake, he pocketed a doorknob made of cake before hurrying off to Tommy’s house, just as night fell.

“You’re late!” Tommy exclaimed.

Tristan recounted his incredible tale, but Tommy looked doubtful—until Tristan pulled out the cake doorknob wrapped in a napkin.

“Pudding!” Tristan grinned.

Tommy was so shocked he nearly fell off his chair.

Moral of the Story

Patience, cleverness, and persistence can outwit even the trickiest foes. And sometimes, it’s not strength, but wisdom and pacing that help us win the strangest of challenges.