A Cat's Tale

A story about the neighbor's talking cat and the lesson she learned about sharing and loyalty



A Cat's Tale - "The Neighbor's Talking Cat"

We moved into a new apartment and noticed that the next door neighbor had a young female grey cat... Ok, no problem, my wife has a certain attraction power over animals, dogs, cats, you name it; the funny thing is, the attraction is vice versa.
So one day we were sitting on our balcony, relaxing and the cat came over to greet us.
My wife went in the house and got some milk for the cat and put it in one of my favorite bowls and gave it to the cat.
An expensive bowl which I had picked myself, but I decided the cat could have it... (What nerves, my favorite bowl!!)

The cat came over on a daily basis and got her free meal. She would even hang around for some TLC, as you know, cats love to be patted and rubbed on their backs. Ok on her next visiting she came over and said "Hi", we returned the greeting and got her meal. The neighbor came home, we assumed her to be the owner of the cat. The cat looked up and seen the neighbor, turned around and gestured to us, "keep my food, warm I'll be right back..." Off she went to her owner.
She paid us a visit later that day, greeted us, so we greeted her back.
"Alright, I'm back now, where's my bowl?" she boldly asked.
"I'm not sure that you should really have it, after all you hang out here and eat, but when Miss Barett comes home, you just dash off, as if we were not important at all," my wife
complained.
"Well, I'll get back with you on that one, now can I finish my meal?" she purred in this certain arrogant way that cats use. My wife just looked at her, or rather starred and smiled.
"You know, I have talked to Miss Barett and she told me that you are not really her cat, or anyone elses for that matter. I think you should make up your mind where you want to belong!" she said, still not giving up that bowl.
"Cats by nature are not really one person's animals, they can have lots of people friends.It depends on their moods. We do not belong to someone, as a matter of fact, I think you people should be thrilled that I even take the time to come around" the cat said and started licking her paws to wash her face.
My wife shrugged her shoulders and went to get the bowl. I could tell, her feelings were hurt.
"Here you go, when you're done you might wanna bring it back inside" she said and put the bowl down in front of the cat.
"Hmpf" the cat said and started eating.

Later that evening we were sitting on the balcony, enjoying the calmness of our home, when the cat came climbing up the stairs. Purring loudly she came toward us, rubbing her back on my wife's legs.
"Come on up on my lap then, I'll cuddle you for a while" my wife said and put her book aside. The cat hopped up on her lap, curled into a furry ball and allowed my wife to rub her little head.
"You know, if you were not so cute and so adorable, I probably wouldn't even bother with you, just alone for
your arrogance" Birgit told the cat.
"Puuurrrrrrrr" the cat purred and stretched her legs, showing her sharp claws. "Whatever" the cat mumbled and dosed off.

One day the cat's mother came bye to visit her daughter.
Birgit's attractioness for animals lured her over to our house. Before you know it, the daughter was there, telling her mother that we are her people so she need to find her own. My wife carressed both animals. Then she fed them, earning a funny look from the grey cat and another "Hmpf".
A few days later the daughter came over for her free meal, her mother seen it and came over too, in hope of some free dinner. The daughter was eating, gesturing at her mom to not even think about getting close to her bowl. So the mom went around her daughter and the bowl and layed down, a few feet away and started to cry.
The younger cat looked up at her mom and said: " Look Mom, this is a dog-eat-dog world, sorry." Finished
eating up all of her food, not leaving the tiniest morsel and left.
Her mom was still laying on our balcony, my wife went in the house and got her some food since her daughter
did not share with her. Before you knew it the daughter rushed over and ran her mother away from the food and
started eating it till it was all gone. Nice and full, feeling good the younger cat layed over on her side looking exhausted from the amount of food she had just consumed, look up at us and said:"Thanks Guys, that was really good." Then she went to sleep..... on our floormat.

The next few days went bye, our little grey cat kept coming around and collecting her food. When Miss Barett came home from work, she would, without even saying bye, rush over to greet her.
We did not see her mother for a while. Then, one morning, we were just coming back from our grocery shopping, we found her sitting on top of the dumpster.
"Look at the poor thing, she is so skinny! Here, take the bags, I'll run and bring her some food" my wife said and pushed her bags into my arms, leaving me with the responsibility for our groceries. While I was taking load after load of bags into the house (up the stairs to the second floor) she came down toward the cat with two bowls in her hands. Close to the dumpster she stooped down and sat the bowls on the ground. Then she stepped back and started coaxing the cat into eating the food and drinking the milk.
The cat looked at my wife, her yellow eyes gigantic and full of surprise. Then asked: For me?" with a hesitation.
"Yes, sweetheart, just for you," my wife whispered. Slowly the cat approached the bowl. Then she looked over her
shoulder, making sure her daughter was not close bye. Carefully she dipped her little nose into the milk.
"Oooh, this is delicious, what is it called, where did you find it?" she said delighted.
"It is milk, with a dip of honey. I bought it in a store," my wife explained with patience.
"Mmmmmh, sooo goood" the cat purred, "can I have it all?"
"Yes, you can have it all. And when you get hungry again, just come by our door, we'll give you some more," Birgit
promised and smiled.
Later the little grey cat came bye, asking for a snack.
"Sure, anything in particular you had in mind or will cat food do?" I asked her, not really expecting an answer.
"Well, since you are asking, beefsteak tartar would be a wonderful experience, of course I'm sure, you guys don't
know anything about fine food like that, so I will settle for cat food" she said and sat down, waiting to be served.
A moment later her small voice came through the door: "Could you hurry up? I do have some more people to visit!"
Dutifully we rushed the cat food out to her and watched her eat. Without a thank-you, she left when she was done,
running next door, where Miss Barett was just putting her key in the door. My wife shook her head and went inside.
"Excuse me, hello?" a small voice called from the door. I went to see who was there and found the mother cat sitting on
our doorstep.
"Sorry to bother you, but I wondered if you would have some leftovers for me" she asked politely.
"More than just leftovers, how about a soft and dry spot to sleep to go with it?" I asked her, having a sudden inspiration.
"Oh my, oh my, you know a good dry spot? I kind of used the old car wash across the street, it does not get too wet
in there..." she replied.
"I think we know the perfect spot for you!" I said and grinned over to the daughter cat on the next balcony, "come on inside
and I will show you!" While my wife was filling up a bowl with milk and honey and one with cat food, I led Miss Skinny to
our old chair by the window. I put a blanket on top of it and waved my hand for her to take a seat. Outside her daughter
was pacing back and forth on our balcony. While her mother was eating my wife and I went outside.
"I think I have seen my mother go in there?" the grey cat said and looked at us.
"Yes, you have," I answered, doing my best not to grin.
"And, what exactly is she doing in there?" the cat demanded.
"Oh, she decided to move in with us and be our cat," Birgit answered casually.
"But..., but..., no, no, no. You are my people, remember?" the cat said alarmed.
"People by nature are not really one animal's person, they can have lots of animal friends. It depends on their moods.
We do not belong to an animal, as a matter of fact, we think that you should be thrilled that we take the time to feed
and caress you," I told her and finally let the grin show on my face.

After that day the cat decided to share with her mom and to be a little more loyal. Now both cats are sitting in their chair,
huddled together and looking out the window.

We over heard them whispering about two other cats they know and they would like to introduce them to us...

Well, if you think we as people are doing bad, try

living your life as a cat.... "smile"



By: Roger and Birgit



© Birgit and Roger Pratcher, October 2005