
A gentle, sun‑lit afternoon finds Shireen, a sleek Persian cat, padding toward the stone‑walled bungalow of Uncle Ben, an old sea captain whose garden is a quiet arboretum of roses, ivy and rustling leaves. The narrative captures the calm rhythm of her careful steps, the way she lifts each paw to avoid the puddles left by a recent rain, and the soft sway of her bushy tail as she explores this new, verdant world.
Inside the cottage, Shireen meets an eclectic troupe of companions: Tom Brandy, a mischievous dog‑like friend, a chatty starling, a flamboyant cockatoo named Cockie, and even a shy chameleon called Chammy. Their interactions reveal a playful, slightly mischievous side to Shireen, hinting at adventures that stretch beyond the garden’s borders and hint at the larger sea‑faring life that once tugged at her paws.
Through warm, observant prose, the story reflects on the simple joys and quiet dignities of feline existence, while subtly touching on the broader world of cat shows and the delicate balance between admiration and exploitation. Listeners will find a tender portrait of companionship, curiosity, and the timeless allure of a cat’s gaze.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (332K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2011-12-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1840–1910
A naval surgeon turned prolific adventure writer, he poured his love of travel, animals, and the outdoors into lively books for young readers. He is also remembered for commissioning an early leisure caravan, reflecting the restless, practical spirit that ran through both his life and his fiction.
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