Once upon a time,
Happy ever after...
“Not for you, sister,” thought Pebbles as she sat brooding atop the wardrobe, where she had spent the last few weeks.
It was Kitten 101: ”Always take the high ground, the first lesson instilled in her by her mother.
It had been 21 sunsets since she had arrived in this strange new place. Twenty-one sunsets since the door of the plastic prison has been opened and she had bolted to the safest place she could see. And that was why she now found herself still on top of the wardrobe.
Sure, the humans who had abducted her had provided shelter and there was an abundance of food, which Pebbles grudgingly admitted was more than welcome. But why oh why did they insist on trying to touch her?
It had started from the moment she has arrived. Hands, always hands, why must they use those grasping, poking, grabbing, yanking, pulling hands? She had fought, oh how she had fought, with tooth and claw. Pebbles clearly remembered drawing blood and the small feeling of catisfaction at seeing the glistening red drops welling up from the four parallel stripes. Then realisation set in and she tensed awaiting the retribution that would surely come.
But retribution never came. No matter how many times she lashed out, she was never punished, no matter how much blood she drew, all she received was kind words, soft words, words of encouragement and, even more surprising… treats. Manna from heaven, a cat’s only weakness, her Kryptonite: Dreamies.
Weeks passed, long confusing weeks, for the pretty little cat called Pebbles – or Pebs as the humans she dwelled with now called her. Pebs had gradually grown more accustomed to her new surroundings and her innate curiosity had got the better of her. She had left the safety of the wardrobe and now spent much of her time in a covered bed on a much lower cupboard on the other side of the room. She still made frequent forays to the wardrobe, stopping to stare through the window at an outside world she had no interest in visiting.
And then one fateful night it happened. It was late and Pebbles had eaten and eaten well. She was in that pleasant state of having a full belly and was dozing peacefully in a semi-dreamlike state.
That was when she felt it; the gentle caress of a hand, softly stroking her.She didn't mean to, she didn't think she would, but a purr escaped her lips… a purr of contentment.
Pebbles sat up, shocked at herself and looked at the Human female, the one who had dared to make her let her guard down…
“Thats strange,” thought Pebbles.
“The female’s eyes are leaking. She must be broken.”
And so the months passed and Pebbles grew fat on compliments and attention.Though having seen eight summers and considered old, Pebbles always knew she looked good and it was nice that someone else recognised it.
With the care and attention the humans lavished on her, Pebbles’ confidence grew and she took to exploring more and more. When things got too much for her, she would retire to one of the many covered bolt holes provided for her, where she could watch the comings and goings of the other cats… and even one big smelly creature, called an “Evie”.
Pebbles did not care to mix with these other animals, but was quite content to sit and watch their comical antics. Indeed, Pebbles’ new favourite thing was to sit on the bottom of the stairs, watching thoughtfully and drinking in the new sights and smells of this so far unexplored area.
"One day soon" thought Pebbles…
Once upon a time,
Happy ever after...
“Fairy tales can happen,” thought Pebbles, as she gently purred herself to sleep between her Human Mummy and Daddy.
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Pebbles’ Story, by Pebbles Phillips with Greg D’Amour.
About the author: Pebbles lives in Derbyshire with her family. She has no future plans to write although she may if the desire takes her. She is quite happy to enjoy her retirement and her status as Diva.
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