I will be sharing some photos of my projects at a later date, soon to be announced. Kidding.
For now, I'd thought I'd share the 2nd chapter of "SCAT, CAT!" It's a book about a lost kitty and
Chapter Two: Fear and Friendship
When he woke up, he was
still in his box and daylight was not far away. Other creatures
were beginning to stir: birds and bugs and other mysterious things,
chirping, cheeping, chattering and chittering. After thinking
about his predicament for a while Cat came to the sad conclusion
that maybe the Big Ones were not coming back and that now he was on
his own.
“On his own! How could
that be?” It was so frightening that Cat could hardly think.
“How can I be alone, and maybe even lost?” he cried. “Why
didn’t the Big Ones take me with them? Didn’t they love me just
a little bit? What am I supposed to do now?” His little heart
was racing with fear and breaking with loneliness at the same time.
All he could do was curl up in his little box and cry. After a
while, when his sobs had turned to sniffles, he started to think
about his Mother and a song she used to sing. It was a song about a
very brave Cat, a very clever Cat, a Cat who was a hero. Cat knew
his Mother would want him to try his best, so he decided that he
would try to be brave too… well, at least a little brave.
“I guess a good first
step would be to get myself out of this box.” So he began to push
should let me out.” So he pushed some more and the top popped
open. Cat peeked out of the box to see where he was. There was
green grass all around and many tall bushes and trees. Off in the
distance Cat saw a big white house.
“That’s where my
house is,” he mewed. “I'm not lost at all. If I hurry, I might
be there in time for breakfast.”
So Cat started his
journey. It took him quite a while to reach the white house and his
little feet were starting to hurt from all the stones along the hard
path that led to the big white house. Just as he was starting to
pad up to the house, a large furry Barker came rushing at him,
yelping, “Get lost, Cat! This is my house!” Cat was
terrified. He ran as fast as he could to the tall bushes to hide.
The Barker seemed satisfied and went back to the white house and
curled up in the sun.
Cat was very confused.
He just couldn't imagine Hey You and Old Lady having a Barker in
their house. They could barely take care of themselves, let alone a
creature as helpless and slobbering as a Barker. “ Well, I guess
this isn’t my house after all. Where will I go next? What should
I do now?” He sat shivering in the bushes, feeling very sorry for
himself and just a little hungry too. After some more thinking, he
decided to keep traveling. Maybe HIS big, white house was just down
the path.
So, off he went, humming
his Mother’s song to keep his spirits up. Soon his growling
stomach was louder than his humming. “I should find something to
eat and definitely something to drink.” He saw some water in a
puddle near the big hard path and hurried down to explore. “This
water smells okay. I think it’s safe for a small cat like me.”
As he was drinking, he noticed some creepy crawlers nearby and
quickly pounced. “Well, it’s not real food, but it’s better
than nothing.” After his snack he discovered that he felt a bit
more hopeful and definitely had more energy. “I guess it’s time
to get moving again.”
Just as Cat was about to
step on the path, he heard a loud rumbling noise and thought, “That
sounds like the noisy Rumbler I was in. Maybe it’s the Big Ones
looking for me.” Out of nowhere a large, smelly, metal Rumbler
came whizzing by, the rumbly noise and hot gust of wind knocking Cat
head-over-heels. He picked himself up, shook off the dust and
coughed out a few fumes. Now he was completely bewildered and a
little scared too.
“Me-wow! Those
Rumblers are very dangerous. I think they’re even more dangerous
than Barkers.”
Suddenly, a voice came
from some nearby weeds. “You better believe they’re dangerous,
little fur ball. If I were you, I’d leave while I was still in one
piece.”
“Who are you?”
mewed Cat, “and my name is NOT Fur Ball!” Out from the grass
came a large, yellow and white Cat. The Cat sat down across from
the little waif and studied him with his big green eyes. Cat was
simply amazed at the size and majesty of the newcomer and suddenly
felt himself to be very small and insignificant, indeed.
“So, you’re not a
fur ball. Then tell me who you are, and what you’re doing here,
little stranger. This is my territory and you need my permission to
stay.”
Cat bowed his head. He
hoped the majestic Cat didn't notice his shivering shins. “Excuse
me, sir,” he squeaked. “I am Cat and I...”
“Speak up, Catling!
You are one of the People, a member of the proud and noble race of
Felis and we bow to no one! Do not sit there and quiver like a
Squeaker about to meet its end!”
Cat jumped and tried to
clear his throat, which was difficult because it seemed his heart
had taken up residence there. He closed his eyes and spoke at the
top of his little cat voice. “Excuse me, Sir. I am Cat and I am
lost and frightened. Please let me stay for a while. I need to
learn about this strange new place and try to find my way home.”
“Well, Catling, at
least you have some manners and know how to speak to your elders.
My name is Sharpclaw, but my Big Ones call me Tiger; a silly name,
but they mean well. You may stay if you wish and I will teach you
the ways of the People. It’s clear that you are not familiar with
our ways, so it will certainly take quite a bit of teaching. Be
welcome in my domain and please be comfortable.”
Cat lowered his eyes.
“Thank you, Sharpclaw. You are most kind.”
Sharpclaw circled around
the newcomer and studied him with his sparkling green eyes and
finally said, “I now name you ‘Hunter,’ for that is what you
are, in more ways than one. Cat is not a real name and certainly
not worthy of one of the People. In normal circumstances your
naming would have been a wondrous ritual, a night of festivity,
attended by your family, friends and neighbors. Your name would
have been based upon a study of your eyes and fur, your habits and
personality. The ceremony would be presided over by the Grand High
Poohbah of Felidae, 'May his teeth be ever sharp.' but we must make
do with what we have.”
“Thank you again, Mr.
Sharpclaw. I will always be grateful for this honor. I knew that
having a real name was important and now I actually have one!
Hunter… yes, I like the sound of that very much.”
So for the next few
weeks, the two Cats roamed together and Hunter learned many new
things. He learned to hunt the furry Squeakers that ranged through
the meadows and the feathered Flyers that swooped in the sky. To be
honest, he was not always successful but his skills improved
immensely. He learned which plants and bugs were good to eat and
which ones to avoid. He learned how to find sweet water and to avoid
the water that was foul. He learned how to outwit the Barkers and
how to cross the hard path safely. He learned how to find safe
places to sleep and dry places to shelter from the rain. Most of
all, he learned self-reliance and the value of friendship. His only
regret would come when Sharpclaw had to leave to return to his home
and his family. Then Hunter would lie in hiding and watch his
friend through the warm yellow windows, being petted and loved by
the Big Ones. A strange longing would settle over Hunter. Even
though he was learning to survive on his own, he still yearned for a
family. Then he would fall asleep dreaming of what it would be
like.
“Oh, to feel loved and
welcome, with my very own family. What a marvelous thing that
would be!”
One day, as the last rays
of sunlight were bathing the meadow with golden light, the two Cats
were sunning themselves in a grassy hollow and enjoying a peaceful
moment of companionship. Sharpclaw turned to Hunter and said, “My
friend, as much as I have delighted in our time together, I think
you are now ready to continue your journey and fulfill your
destiny.”
Hunter knew that
Sharpclaw was right and nodded his head. “Yes, I must find my own
way now. I promise I will never forget you or the lessons you have
taught me.”
The older Cat stood and
said, “Come, then. We will hunt together one last time.” The
two Cats set off, tails twitching, for a rousing hunt and one final
meal.
As darkness began to
fall, they sang a Parting Song, each too proud to show his true
feelings.
“May your claws be sharp and your eyes be clear,
To help you on your way.
For even though we may
not be near,
We share this road
today.”
“The time has come for
us to part.
The Moon is rising high.
So as we stand here heart
to heart,
We now must say
Good-Bye.”
(Each verse must be
followed by a mournful cry, perfectly described as caterwauling.)
As Hunter finally
started down the path, Sharpclaw kept watch till the small black and
white figure was long out of sight and the stars were twinkling in
the sky.
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