CONCLUSION OF "MOVING IN"

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on September 2013

Just to set the scene fresh in your mind…..Joseph had heard a strange noise during the night in the barn and now the Little Ones are going on an adventure to find out what the noise is. They had just arrived at the tack door where it was heard once again. Let’s continue.

“Are we ready?†Joseph whispered as they started moving forward.
Suddenly, they came to a complete halt with such a force they ploughed into one another sliding across the floor and finally coming to a stop at the bench.
“Do you see what I see?†asked Joseph.
“It’s just a cat for goodness sake. Nothing to be afraid of, that is for sure.â€
“I don’t know, Baby. If that noise came from that cat, we have problems.†answered Joseph.
“Wait just a minute! I have seen this cat before outside of the barn and I think our owners gave it some food but no…..that cat was a lot bigger than this one. Sorry, wrong cat.†Annie answered.
“It still could be the same cat Annie.â€
“How Baby?â€
“Well, if it is, what I am thinking would explain the noise as well.â€
“WHAT! WHAT tell me please Baby!!†yelled Annie.
“Simple Annie, this is not just a cat but I think she is a Momma cat.â€
“Momma cat? Is that her name? Oh! I got it. She has baby kittens! Am I right?†Annie asked as she jumped up and down.
“That certainly would explain the noise for sure.†Joseph added
“But where are they?†asked Annie.
“Most likely she has them hidden to protect them.â€
“We aren’t going to hurt them Joseph.â€
“We know that Annie but she doesn’t . We are strangers to her.â€
“That’s right Joseph.†TC said as she and Havier joined the Little Ones.
Baby looked at TC and knowing her all too well…..
“I am getting the feeling, TC, that you knew all along how this was going to end. That’s why you let us go on this adventure because you knew we weren’t going to get hurt.â€
“Oh Baby, you are wiser than your years sometimes. Now may I introduce you all to Kitty or Momma Kitty â€
“Hello everyone.†she answered in a soft voice.
Annie’s eyes got real wide.
“She can talk? TC, she heard everything we said!â€
“Hello Annie. Our Murphy can talk and he is a cat.â€
“I never thought about it that way. Besides, I’m allowed one of “those†moments humans call either a Blonde or Senior moment and before you ask if I know what that means I don’t have a clue. All I know is that it sounded good.†replied Annie.
There was no way that TC and Havier could hold back the laughter. As the laughter settled down Annie touched TC and said,
“Is it alright to ask Momma Kitty about her babies or would that be rude?†she whispered.
“Not at all Annie.†TC answered.
“That means I can?â€
“Certainly.â€
â€Momma Kitty, can I see your family please?â€
“I can’t see why not Annie. It is Annie, isn’t it?â€
“Yes, I am Annie and this is Baby and Joseph. Can they see them too?â€
“By all means. I have them behind the board.â€
Just as they had started this adventure they walked side by side to have the first look at the babies.
“Oh Baby and Joseph, look at the three baby kittens. They are so small. Oh my goodness!†Annie shouted out.
“I have four.†Momma Kitty said with a concerned look on her face as she looked around.
“What’s wrong Momma Kitty?†asked Annie.
“I have four babies not three.â€
“No worries. The other one is there.†replied Joseph.
“Where Joseph? I can’t see it.â€
“Look very close Annie, all you can see is the tips of its ears.â€
“Okay, I see it now. Momma Kitty, you do have four baby kittens.†Annie replied in a shy voice.
As Momma Kitty looked around, the look on her face went from fear of having lost one of her babies to relief they were all there.
“But why are you here with your family instead of being in your own home?†Annie asked before she thought.
“Annie that was RUDE! You shouldn’t have asked that!†snapped Baby.
“Sorry, everyone. Sometimes I don’t think before I speak and it gets me into trouble.
“I know it must seem funny for me to be here but I have no place to go or call home.†Kitty answered with a very shaky voice.
“Oh Kitty, does that mean you are an orphan?â€
“Yes, you might say I am Annie.â€
“Then that was you that I saw outside the barn.â€
“I was hungry and looking for food and your owners, after they found me, made sure I had food to eat.â€
“Have you been here all the time hiding?†asked Baby
“No, my family was born in the old barn across the pasture but it wasn’t a safe place to bring up my babies. Then when the time came that I had to move from the old barn, I came here. I figured it would be safe because they had fed me each day.
Annie looked puzzled.
“Your babies can’t walk very well so how did you get them here?â€
“I carried each one at a time.â€
This really had the Little Ones interested and confused.
“How can you carry them Momma Kitty when you need all four of your legs to walk. I really don’t get it.†Annie said.
“Kitty, would you mind showing the Little Ones how you did it?†TC asked.
“I would be delighted to show them.â€
With that, Kitty walked over to the kittens and gently picked one up by the back of the neck with her mouth. She carried it between her front legs over to where the Little Ones were standing. All three looked in awe at Kitty as she gently laid her baby at their feet.
“WOW!!!!! Joseph and Baby did you see that!!!.†Annie shouted.
“I have to say that was pretty impressive.â€
“I agree Joseph.†Baby added.
“Momma Kitty, it looked like you were biting the back of its neck.â€
“I was to a point, Annie, but not enough to hurt them. This is the way a lot of mothers in the wild carry their young.â€
“When I was small TC, were my legs shaky like that when I tried to walk?â€
“From what I can remember, Annie, you were walking pretty good when you came to our barn but you had the most trouble when you tried to run.â€
“I think that still is the case sometimes but I am getting better.â€
“Momma Kitty, I hope you don’t feel that we are being too personal, but what are you going to do with no place to call home?â€
“Kitty has a home if she wants it and that is right here at the barn. We have lots of room and it would be rather fun having kittens running around. We are a family Kitty, and one of the rules of being a family is that we discuss all the changes that occur. Little Ones, Havier, do you see any reason whatsoever why Kitty and her kittens can’t become part of our family?†TC asked.
The Little Ones ran over to Havier to see what he thought and with a nod of his head the Little Ones jumped up and down with joy as they knew it was a big yes from all.
“There you go Kitty. Everyone welcomes you to stay here if you wish.â€
Kitty lowered her head toward the floor.
“I don’t know what to say. I thought this was going to be a stopping place until I found a home. It is a feeling that I have never felt before - to have a place to live. You are all so kind and thank you from the bottom of my heart.†Kitty whispered.
“We still have to know about the noise.†Joseph asked.
“Well, that is easy to explain.†said Kitty. “I had to move after dark so I wouldn‘t be seen. When I left my first kitten, it was afraid and alone so it started to cry as loud as it could hoping I would hear it and come back. So when the three got here and I went for the last one, I can only imagine the noise they created.â€
“It was that bad that it took us on this adventure.â€
“Listen, I think our owners are coming. No better time than now to let them know we are up in numbers.†whispered Baby.
When the owners came through the door they noticed everyone standing in the tack room.
“That’s rather odd, don’t you think?†one of them said as they approached. When room was made for them they could see Kitty and her family.
You might say it was one of those times in life when there is no difference between humans and animals. They all felt the same joy over the new addition.
No one seemed to mind that supper was a bit late that evening as the owner turned the tack room into a nursery for Momma Kitty and her babies. Annie was full of questions about Kitty.
“I think it is time that we let Momma Kitty get some rest. It has been a long day for her. Annie, I know you are excited, but any other questions you have will have to wait for another time.†TC said as she led the Little Ones to the other side of the barn.
“Ok TC. I can wait. I am rather tired myself tonight.†Annie answered.
As the Little Ones cuddled up for the night…….
“Was I hearing things earlier Joseph?â€
“No Baby, but I do think a miracle just happened. I never thought the day would come when Annie would get tired of talking.â€
“Oh Joseph, you know there are things that just happen once.â€
“Yeah, I know some things that have happened like that. Why?â€
Annie lifted her head looking at Baby and Joseph and said
“Add this one to it.â€
“I knew it was too good to be true.†Baby answered with a smile.
From the darkness came……
“I am so glad Kitty has a safe place now.â€
“Murphy, where did you come from?†asked Joseph.
“I was just hanging around watching the events of the day. I have to hurry before the lights go off in the house. Sweet dreams everyone.â€
“Good Night Murphyâ€

Hi Everyone! There you have the end of the story. Kitty found a safe home and the mystery of the noise was solved. As time goes on you will hear more about the new additions to the barn. If someone does something good out of the kindness of their heart, always make sure you say thank you. Until time…….. Play and Stay Safe in whatever you do.
Baby, Joseph, TC. Havier and Little Annie