The Tale of Tom Kitten

Three playful kittens—Mittens, Tom, and Moppet—are coaxed indoors by their mother, Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit, who is busy preparing for a tea party with friends. She washes, brushes, and dresses each of them in tidy pinafores and a tiny suit for Tom, though his growing size makes the buttons pop off one by one. The mother sends the trio out into the garden, warning them to stay on their hind legs and avoid the ash‑pit, the pig‑sty, and the waddling ducks.

Once outside, the kittens’ clumsy attempts to navigate the garden leave them tangled in their own clothing, and a parade of curious Puddle‑Ducks appears, pecking at the fallen hats and trousers. The ducks, eager to help, end up trying on the kittens’ garments themselves, creating a humorous jumble of feathers and fabric. When Mrs. Twitchit discovers the disheveled scene, she scolds the kittens and rushes them back inside, just in time for her guests to arrive.