Happy Groundhog Day
for M&M

What is the meaning and the origin of groundhog day?,
our favorite kittens M&M are about to discover.

“We’ll have six more weeks of winter,” said Mohrle as he walked into the kitchen to join Missi Girl for a snack.

“And how did you get that information?” asked his sister, glancing sideways.

“Woodstock told me. He went to check on Charlie. You remember the little fellow who was digging by the garage on the other side of the fence last summer?

Mr. B said that today is Groundhog Day. If, on this day, a ground hog sees his shadow, it’s six more weeks of winter.”

“But I thought Charlie’s a woodchuck?”

“Woodchuck or groundhog.” They’re all the same, Woodstock says.

“He came out of his burrow just as the sun rose from behind Foster Mountain, looked at his shadow, let out a shriek and disappeared underground,” reported Mohrle.

“Why would he be afraid of his own shadow?” Missi Girl asked, shaking her head. “How would I know?” Let’s go ask Woodstock.

Woodstock did not know either. However he said he would consult with Barnie, the owl. He would know. And he went to see Barnie in his tree house.

About half an hour later he was back. The kittens had waited anxiously to find out what Barnie had to say. “Well,” Woodstock said, “Barnie is finishing his report for January. The report has to be in the hands of the Council of Owls of Brome-Missisquoi County early this afternoon. As soon as he’s finished, he’ll come down to explain Ground Hog Day.

Mohrle was impatient, and complained about the delay. Missi Girl chided, “When will you learn to relax and wait like everybody else? Is knowing why he is afraid of his shadow that important?” The kittens went into the sunroom to watch the chipmunk, Chippi, stuffing himself with sunflower seeds. Barnie knocked on the window to be let inside. It was too cold outside for any kind of lecture.

“So, you would like to know about Groundhog Day?” Barnie asked, and continued. “I looked it up on the internet. It appears to have started in the 18th and 19th century as a Pennsylvania German custom.” Barnie paused.

“It’s interesting; it has its origins in European weather history. A sacred bear or badger is the fortune teller as opposed to a groundhog. Many early morning festivals are held in all parts of the country. The most famous festival is the one in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where thousands watch Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd.

In our country, we have Gary the groundhog in Kleinburg, and Wiarton Willie found in Wiarton, Ontario. If it’s cloudy, there is no shadow, and it is generally believed that milder weather can be expected. However, if there is a shadow, six more weeks of winter are the forecast.

Can you tell me, from February 2nd until the vernal equinox six weeks later, what we will have?”

Missi Girl and Mohrle looked at Barnie out of big eyes for the answer. “It’s the beginning of spring March the 20th or 21st. Unfortunately for all of us, this year Charlie saw his shadow and I’m afraid that the cold weather will be with us for a while longer.”

The kittens curled up, satisfied with Barnie’s explanation, and decided to have a little afternoon snooze.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Leaving Groundhog Day Story to return to Cat Stories