The Lighthouse Keeper's Cat

The lighthouse stood on a small, lonely island in the middle of the sea. It was tall and white, and at the top there was a big, bright light. Every night, the light turned around and around. It said to the ships, "Be careful! The rocks are here! Stay away!"

In the lighthouse lived an old man. His name was Old Tom. He had white hair and kind eyes. He had lived on the island for many, many years. He was not lonely, because he was not alone. He had a cat.

The cat's name was Pip. Pip was small and grey, with bright green eyes. He was a brave cat and a clever cat. He knew every step of the lighthouse. He knew the long stairs that went up, up, up to the light. He knew the warm kitchen where Old Tom made fish soup. He knew the little window where he could watch the birds.