Lord Blueberry Pancakes

Lord Blueberry Pancakes was a large British Blue cat — his fur thick, tight, and undeniably blue. He lived in England, upon his own land, in his family’s grand house — all proudly bearing the Pancakes name. He was the Fifth Earl of Pancakes.

Lord Blueberry had a most important duty: to keep his family’s name strong, proud, and honourable. When one greeted Lord Blueberry — unless they were family — one must always address him by his proper title.

Some might think it easy to be a cat lord, but it was not. He carried great responsibility for the folk who worked the lands under his care.

Several fine farmers lived upon his estate. Butterscotch, the closest and most trusted, tended the largest plot, growing rows upon rows of apples and carrots. Next was Biscuits, who managed the flower fields, filling the air with sweet scents all spring and summer. And just beyond was Miss Apricot, who grew the finest apricots in all of England — so fine, in fact, that even the King himself was served apricots from her orchard.

It was a Monday on the Pancakes Estate, and that meant Lord Pancakes had an important duty. Every Monday in spring, he visited each of his farmers to ensure they had everything they required for the season ahead.

Butterscotch’s Farm

His first stop was Butterscotch’s farm. As Lord Pancakes padded up the gravel path, he spotted a pair of small ears poking up from the garden — the ears of Butterscotch’s youngest son, Buttermilk.

“Hello, Buttermilk,” said Lord Pancakes.

“Hello, Lord Pancakes!” the kitten chirped. “My dad’s just around the back.”

“Thank you, Buttermilk.”

Around the old farmhouse, Lord Pancakes found Butterscotch examining a wagon full of seed.

“Good morning, Butterscotch,” said Lord Pancakes.

“Good morning, my lord! Just checking that everything’s ready for the new season.”

“I see,” said Lord Pancakes, glancing at the neatly stacked sacks of seed. “I do hope you have everything you need.”

“Well, come to think of it,” said Butterscotch, rubbing his chin, “I could use a new tyre for my tractor. The old one finally gave out.”

Lord Pancakes looked over at the green tractor, where a back tyre lay flat upon the ground.

“Why yes, you certainly do need one,” said Lord Pancakes. “I’ll have someone over straightaway to see to it.”

“Thank you, Lord Pancakes.”

“No need to thank me,” said the cat lord with a smile. “You just keep being the finest farmer you can be, and I’ll make sure you have all you require. Now, have a splendid day.”

“Will do, my lord!” said Butterscotch, tipping his cap.

And with that, Lord Pancakes was off to the next farm.

Biscuits’ Flower Fields

While Butterscotch’s apples and carrots were delightful (and very tasty), Lord Pancakes’ favourite stop was always Biscuits’ farm.

You see, Lord Blueberry Pancakes had one thing he loved more than anything — other than his family and friends — and that was flowers.

He walked down the gravel path that wound along the hill until he reached the small farmhouse where Biscuits and his family lived. Behind the house stretched fields of rich, dark soil, freshly turned for planting. Lord Pancakes could see Biscuits already hard at work on his bright red tractor.

When Biscuits spotted him, he drove the tractor over and turned off the loud engine.

“Good morning, my lord!” Biscuits called, hopping down. “How are you on this beautiful spring morning?”

“Oh, just out on my rounds,” said Lord Pancakes. “Say, you wouldn’t happen to have a spare tractor tyre, would you?”

Biscuits rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully. “Well, funny enough, I bought two new spares on Friday — and only needed one!” He pointed to the shiny new tyre resting beside the barn.

“Well, that’s good fortune indeed,” said Lord Pancakes. “I’ve just come from Butterscotch’s farm, and he’s in desperate need of one for his green tractor.”

“Oh, what a stroke of luck!” said Biscuits. “I’ll take it right over and help him get up and running. We’ll have those apples and carrots growing in no time.”

“Thank you, Biscuits. That’s very kind of you.”

“Not at all, my lord,” said Biscuits. “And if you’d like — once you’ve finished your visit with Miss Apricot — tell her to come by for afternoon tea. I’ll invite Butterscotch as well, and we’ll all have tea together. I’ll tell the wife to start baking!”jm ,kl.;;p

“That sounds lovely, Biscuits,” said Lord Pancakes with a warm smile. “I’m sure we’ll all enjoy that very much.”

“Splendid, my lord. Have a pleasant walk over to Miss Apricot’s!”

Lord Pancakes tipped his hat politely and continued on his way, his blue tail flicking with satisfaction. It had been a good morning indeed — full of hard work, kindness, and just the right touch of luck.

Miss Apricot’s Orchard

As he climbed the hill toward Miss Apricot’s, Lord Pancakes noticed a small kitten running along the low stone wall that lined the path. As he drew nearer, he recognised Miss Apricot’s youngest — little Daffodil.

Lord Pancakes cleared his throat. “Well, hello there!”

“Oh! Hello, my lord,” said Daffodil. “My mother’s just in the house, if you’re looking for her.”

“Why yes, I am,” said Lord Pancakes. “And how are you this fine morning?”

“Oh, just out chasing butterflies!” said Daffodil proudly. “It’s the perfect time of year — they love the apricot groves!”

“I see,” said Lord Pancakes kindly. “Well, don’t harm any, remember. Chasing them is fine fun, but never hurt them. The butterflies live on this estate just like you and me, and they’ve every right to be here. They’ve travelled far and have just returned home for spring.”

“Oh yes, I’d never hurt them,” said Daffodil quickly. “They’re my best friends — well, them and my sister Dandelion.”

“That’s good to hear,” said Lord Pancakes. “Just as I look after your mother, your family, and your farm, I also look after all living things on this land. It’s my duty — until, one day, it becomes one of my kittens’ duties.”

“Yep! We’ve all got to take care of each other,” said Daffodil with a grin.

“You’ve got that right, Daffodil,” said Lord Pancakes. “Now, I’m off to see your mum — to make sure she has everything she needs, and to invite you all to Biscuits’ for afternoon tea. I hear his wife is baking tea cakes.”

“Oh boy, tea cakes!” cried Daffodil. “I’d better go tell the others!”

“Good to see you, my lord!”

“You too, Daffodil. See you later!”

Lord Pancakes continued down the hill into Miss Apricot’s garden. Through the window, he saw her wave cheerfully.

“Well, hello, Lord Pancakes,” she said as he approached. “Out on your rounds for the season?”

“Indeed,” he replied. “Just making sure you’ve got everything you need.”

“Why yes, I do,” said Miss Apricot. “I’ve all I could ask for — except time! I’ve been struggling to make a proper tea for the family.”

“Well, then we’ve had two strokes of luck today!” said Lord Pancakes. “I’ve just come from Biscuits’ farm — he happened to have a spare tyre for Butterscotch’s tractor. And while we were talking, he asked me to invite you and your family to join us all for afternoon tea. He’s inviting the Butterscotch family as well. We’ll make it a proper garden party!”

“Well, that is luck!” said Miss Apricot with a deep, pleased purr. “Just what I need — just what we all need. It’s important not only to work hard, but also to enjoy the time we share together.”

“I happened upon Daffodil on my way here,” said Lord Pancakes with a chuckle. “No doubt she and her siblings are already off to Biscuits’.”

“No doubt indeed,” laughed Miss Apricot. “May I join you for the walk back?”

“Of course,” said Lord Pancakes.

Miss Apricot glanced in the hall mirror and brushed her fluffy brown fur. “All right, my lord — I’m ready.”

Together they walked back up the hill. As they reached the top, they could already see the kittens in the flower fields, chasing butterflies. Biscuits was setting the tables while his wife laid out the tea cakes. Butterscotch and his family were just arriving from the other side of the path.

“Well, would you look at that,” said Lord Pancakes. “Everyone’s here — right on time.”

As the families gathered round the tables, Lord Pancakes stood with his teacup in paw.

“I’d just like to say,” he began, smiling proudly, “that I’ve the best family and friends a cat could ever ask for. Now — what do you say we eat these cakes, kittens?”

All the kittens let out a loud cheer — “YAY!”

Lord Pancakes laughed heartily. It was a perfect end to a perfect spring day on the Pancakes Estate.