Grumpy Nativity-Scene Cat Accidentally Spreads Holiday Cheer

"Laughing that hard that early in the morning makes the rest of the day much more positive."

This corpulent grayish-orange kitty clearly had no intention of lifting anyone’s spirits as he settled in recently to watch the world go by, gazing out grumpily through his sourpuss eyes. But the joke's on him!

He did just that.

Brooke Goldman

Early last Sunday, on a nippy autumn sidewalk in New York City, photographer Brooke Goldman wasn't where she wanted to be. Her boyfriend had travel plans that morning, and Goldman made the mistake of offering to walk with him to catch his train. In reality, she wanted to be in bed. But still, she followed through.

“I was pretty out of it,” Goldman told The Dodo. “I was trying to get home as fast as possible to go back to sleep and wasn’t ready for the day at all.”

But in one sleepy stride, suddenly everything changed. As if struck by some saintly vision, Goldman's eyes landed upon this:

Brooke Goldman

There, a short ways away, a random plump feline sat nestled in the manger of a little nativity scene.

Though he obviously had no qualms about commandeering the spot, or concern about offending its intended occupant, the disgruntled cat did seem to relish in the quiet reverence shown to him by the display's figurines.

Goldman's reaction was a little different.

"I was laughing my ass off," she said.

Brooke Goldman

And just like that, Goldman's day had been brightened by the unwitting kitty.

"I guess you can definitely say he brought me joy while I was walking home. It was mood-lifting, most definitely," she said. "Laughing that hard that early in the morning makes the rest of the day much more positive."

Thankfully for the rest of us, Goldman was kind enough to spread that holiday cheer by snapping photos of the furry Scrooge. After all, 'tis the season for joy, mirth and merriment — even if from a grumpy cat.

"A good animal pic can cure anything," Goldman said.