Synopsis: In this moralistic tale, an unruly young boy sets out to climb the magnificent white oak on top of Sunrise Hill. But he discovers there is much more to the tree than first meets the eye, for it turns out to be the earth-gate to Catland. During his ascent the boy is repelled by a group of red squirrels - the tree's guardians - whereupon he stumbles and falls, only to find himself mysteriously transformed into a tortoiseshell cat upon regaining consciousness. He is then whisked into a courtroom, presided over by a wizardly Russian Blue known as Harlequin The Catmaster. During his trial, the newly-formed cat is punished with the Sentence of Nine Lives and given the name "Ian". Ian then has until Christmas Eve to amend the error of his ways, otherwise he will remain as a cat forever - a creature he despises more than any other.