The Heavenly Band

The Heavenly Band


There once was a charming cat who was deemed "The Grand Pooh-Bah" by her peers. She was the leader of a Christian marching band.

All the kitties gathered together several times a week to practice with their instruments, plus their singing and marching. They marched in style! They had to practice every week because someday soon they would march through the gates of Heaven.

The Grand Pooh-Bah wore a red suit embellished with gold trim. She held her shiny marching stick and blew her whistle. She lead the way for the other kitties to march in place.

The band members played and sang the tune—“Oh when the kitties.....oh when the kitties....oh when the kitties go marching in.”

Yes these kitties were saints! They loved the Lord with all their hearts. They knew someday they would meet the Lord in Heaven. And they also knew that they would be the Lord’s number one marching band! Someday as a reward in Heaven the kitties would earn their gold angel wings and become guardian angels for kitties down here on earth. Kitties need protection, too, just like people do!

All the kitties gathered together to practice one fine Thursday afternoon. Sam played the big trombone and Sassafras played the saxaphone. Sambo played the trumpet and Clarence played the clarinet. Whiskers played the french horn, and Jazzy played the drums while Muffin played the flute.

The Grand Pooh-Bah sounded her whistle when one of the kitties seemed to be playing out of tune.

“I’m sorry,” Sambo said. “I’ve been really tired this week and I feel that I can’t play my best today.”

The Grand Pooh-Bah said, “That’s alright Sambo....you can rest your weary paws for the day...we will go ahead and play without you.”

Sambo was relieved that she could rest for awhile. She was getting old and she knew she wouldn’t live long. As a matter of fact, most of the cats in the band were old, but they still did the best they could. Some of the other cats in the band weren’t feeling so well that week and had to stay in bed.

Then a terrible infection struck most of the members in the band. And most of them passed on and their spirits went straight to Heaven. No more sickness or disease in Heaven. They were truly in a world more beautiful than ever before.

The Grand Pooh-Bah was sad and prayed to God that they would be together again soon. She missed her band mates very much. All the band members were heartbroken and they canceled a weeks worth of practice to grieve.

The kitties that passed away met each other near the pearly gates, but stayed outside them. They didn’t dare go inside without The Grand Pooh-Bah. They were very devoted to their leader and band mates and just waited for them to join them someday.

All of a sudden the kitties noticed a big dog standing by the gates and they walked up to him.

“Yes, can I help you?” The gate keeper asked.

“We are just waiting for our friends to come and join us...one is The Grand Pooh-Bah of this band and we are called, “The Saints For Salvation."

“Oh yes, that’s right. I remember now. I’ve heard all about your group. Don’t you play the song, “When the kitties go marching in?”

“Yes, that’s right, we do! How about that cats? He knows who we are!” Jazzy said excitedly.

All the kitties were thrilled by their newfound fame and notoriety.

“My name is Rocky,” said the big dog. “Can I bring you something to eat or drink while you are waiting for your friends?”

“Oh yes, that would be very nice. I’ll take a saucer of milk and some tuna please,” Sassafras said.

“We’ll have the same,” shouted the group.

“Okay, a feast of tuna and milk it shall be,” replied the gate keeper.

“But I wanted fisherman’s stew,” pouted Clarence.

The gate keeper heard what Clarence said and brought him what he wanted, much to his delight.

The kitties enjoyed a glorious feast and ate until their bellies were full. Just then one of the kitty's named Beverly looked up and noticed The Grand Pooh-Bah was coming and so were the other band members! They came to be with them all in Heaven. This was a day to rejoice!

“So nice to see you again!” Shouted The Grand Pooh-Bah.

“So nice to finally see you again. We’ve been waiting for you here by the gates. We decided to not go inside until we saw the whites of your eyes,” Jazzy said chuckling.

They all hugged each other tightly and talked for awhile to catch up on the latest news. Then some of the band members turned to glance at the instruments sitting before them. Now it was time to march through the pearly gates in style! They had all their instruments ready to go. This time they wore white and gold threaded suits that had gold embellished trim on their collars. They also wore gold hats that matched as well. The Grand Pooh-Bah held her gold marching stick as the gate keeper opened the doors.

They formed a line and started playing their beautiful music! Then they began to sing--

“Oh when the kitties......oh when the kitties.....oh when the kitties go marching in.”

They marched proudly for the Lord! Everyone saw them that day and was very pleased.

The Grand Pooh-Bah smiled a wide grin. She was very proud of her team. They played the best they’ve ever played on this day.

And you know what happened next? They all received their gold angel wings. They came down to earth for a period of 17 years and guarded other kitties in need to make sure they were safe. They did this until the next marching band formed and then their work was done. Then it was time that they went back up to Heaven to be with the Lord always.


The End