There is an orange tabby, fluffy cat that lives across the street from us. I
don't know its name, or even if it's a boy or girl, but i do enjoy watching this
Morris lookalike as it lays peacefully on the porch or its lazily on the
windowsill watching the world go by. This has got to be the most laid back cat I
think I've ever seen.
One afternoon it came strolling up to my husband Bill and I as we were getting
out of the car. Our new furry friend followed us up to the front door, then
turned back and plopped down in the middle of the street.
Oblivious to the onslaught of traffic heading its way, the cat casually sprawled
out, gracefully grooming itself while we stood at the curb alerting the
unsuspecting cars fast approaching.
The next day I found out we weren't the only ones with an unusual tabby tale to
tell. Our youngest daughter Katie was coming home, late from work, and noticed a
strange occurrence by the light of the full moon.
She noticed the same sweet feline still as a statue on the lawn, across the
street. A closer peek revealed what it was that was holding the tabby's
attention -- a tiny mouse scampering through the blades of grass withing reach
of possibly razor sharp, menacing claws.
As Katie stood silently observing, she watched as this itty-bitty mouse flitted
back and forth in an attempt to entice the kitty to play. Just when Katie was
worried that the mini Mickey might become a midnight snack the mouse did
something totally unexpected. It stopped, looked up into the eyes of what is
suppose to be his arch enemy and, reaching up on the tiniest of hind legs, he
gave the cat what appeared to be a kiss on the nose.
With the light of the full moon brightening up the surrounding darkness Katie
continued to watch as the unlikely duo played an innocent and heartfelt game of
cat and mouse -- not one of the violent variety.
Back and forth they tenderly interacted as two old and very wise friends.
Listening to my daughter recount the experience I got to wondering why it always
shocks us when unusual acts of kindness go against the grain of what the world
accepts as gospel. After all, aren't cats and mice suppose to act like the Tom
and Jerrys' of cartoon fame? Aren't we automatically conditioned to draw the
line in the sand from which our enemies dare not cross?
At first Katie couldn't believe what she was seeing. But, it wasn't a case of
her eyes playing tricks on her. Somewhere beyond the gates of heaven God's
message of love from above was shining through, loud and clear.
The cat and mouse enjoying a midnight dance together in the stillness of a
moonlit night, under a star filled sky, answered the unending question--with
love, aren't all things possible?
Kathy Whirity Whirity@yahoo.com
Kathy Whirity is a newspaper columnist from Chicago where she lives with her
husband Bill of 28 years, her 2 daughters and her 2 rambunctious Retrievers,
Hannah and Holly. Kathy's writings can also be viewed online. She has been
published in Storytime Tapestry, Hearts with Soul, Warm Fuzzy Stories, and
Write2theHeart, She has contributed to "The Golden Formula, The Joy of
Alzheimer's, When Tears Are Dried With Laughter and "Journey of the Mind.
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