NOT ALWAYS AS IT SEEMS
Written by Leona NielsenPublished on October 2017
There are days that as soon as you wake up you know the day isn’t going to be normal. Annie had to step aside as Momma Kitty jumped down from the loft.
“What are you doing up so early Momma Kitty?”
“Oh, those kids of mine!” she replied as she continued out the front door.
“Did I hear Momma Kitty or was I dreaming? She is never up this early.” said Baby.
“No, you heard her alright.”
“I heard them early this morning running around in the loft. It sounded like they were playing tag.” said Baby.
Just then Joseph appeared.
“Oh I will be glad when the winter hay arrives and they can jump on the bales instead of the floor. It sounded like a herd of elephants up there this morning.”
“Oh Joseph, you know you like the kids.”
“I do, Annie, but I like quiet even better, especially when I am trying to get my beauty rest.” replied Joseph.
“I think Snickers is here, wouldn’t you say, Annie?”
“No doubt on that Baby. He will be better after he gets something to eat.” whispered Annie to Baby as Joseph trotted off for his breakfast.
The morning passed uneventfully. Havier and Jake were checking out the pasture. Baby was playing tag with Annie in the small pasture. Joseph – well, let’s just say he went back to bed to get his beauty rest while it was quiet in Catsville.
“Has anyone seen my kids?” Momma Kitty asked as she came in.
“I just saw Snook. He was sitting on the fence post in the back, but Springer, I have to say, I haven’t seen him since this morning.” replied Jake who had returned to the barn.
“If you see him, tell him I am looking for him, please.”
“Will do, Momma.” answered Jake.
Supper time came and everyone was there except for Springer. Momma Kitty always worries when she doesn’t know where her kids are.
Just then the next door neighbour came into the barn.
“Oh! Glad you are here, you have to hear this.”
It wasn’t normal for the neighbour to come to the barn. He always went to the house.
Jake had heard this and went to get Havier and the rest of the animals to see exactly what it was that had brought the neighbour to the barn. Everyone arrived just in time.
“I have to hear this. Joseph, maybe it is about you?” smiled Baby.
“Why does everyone think it would be something that I have done!?”
“Joseph! Do you really have to ask that?” shouted Annie.
“I am curious now. What happened?” asked the owner.
“Well, I was sitting at the kitchen table waiting to put the chickens in for the night. I looked out the window and noticed they were tiptoeing around the yard. They would go up to their door, stop, back up and circle around doing
The same thing all over again. This went on for a few minutes and I couldn’t figure out what the problem was. Then the old rooster started chatting up a storm and doing the same thing. I knew something was wrong.
Putting on my boots, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was going to find. I didn’t want to make too much noise and startle whatever was in there. The closer I got I could see that chickens were still standing in front of the door looking in. Just then, I tripped over a branch on the ground. The chickens took off in every possible direction with feathers flying. Suddenly, inside the chicken house, came this noise from this white ball of fur as it flew through the air like a bolt of lightning. I don’t think it touched the ground. Where it went, I cannot tell you. Now, I got to go and see if I can find my chickens before it gets too dark. I wanted you to know just in case it showed up here. Wish I knew where it went.” said the neighbour, as he left the barn.
“I know. It is coming in the back door.” whispered Joseph.
Everyone turned around to see who it was and there was Springer, soaking wet with his tail between his legs.
“What happened, Springer?” asked Baby.
“Let’s say it wasn’t one of my better days.”
“SPRINGER!! Where have you been?” Momma Kitty shouted as she walked towards him.
“Sorry Momma, but I went across the road.”
“Are you telling me that white ball of fur that the neighbour was talking about was you?”
“Can I tell my story, please?”
“Please do.” replied Momma Kitty.
“I went over to see what was living under the chicken house. I could see something going in and out. Seeing where I was up so early, I went over. Those chickens, well, they didn’t know what to think when they saw me in their house. No way were they coming in and I wasn’t leaving until I discovered what it was that was under the floor boards. I was so zoned out listening and watching that I didn’t see the neighbour coming. Then, when the chickens took off, so did I!”
“That doesn’t explain why you are wet, Springer.” said Joseph.
“Let’s just say that I made the wrong turn.”
“Springer, what wrong turn did you make?”
“I ended up in the other neighbour’s backyard.”
“The one with the fish pond?”
“Yep. That was the wrong turn.” answered Springer as he made his way to the loft.
“Are you going to give him time out, Momma Kitty?”
“Sometimes, when you get into trouble, you don’t need to have time out because at the end of the day, what you have gone through is punishment enough. I think Springer has learned his lesson and if he finds himself wanting to cross the road again, I think he will ask first. Now, I must go and see my kids. Good night everyone – and Joseph, I don’t think they will be up early in the morning.”
“Still didn’t find out what was under the boards….”
“JOSEPH!!!!”
“Good night everyone……gotta love me.”
That’s our story, or should we say, Springer’s story? There are times when we get curious about things but before you decide to explore, check to see if it is okay.
Remember to stay safe, and even more so now that it gets darker earlier. See you soon.
BABY, JOSEPH, HAVIER, JAKE, LITTLE ANNIE AND THE CATS.