Cowie The Cat

A story of a friendly cat and hateful mice

www.myescapegate.blogspot.com

Popo and Pupu were two cunning mice. They lived under the wall unit in a beautiful huge house. The house looked quiet since it was only occupied by an old lady and her twelve-year-old granddaughter. Both of them loved cats. Unfortunately, there was no single cat could stay long in that house.

            Every noon, the old lady and her granddaughter chatted in the living room while enjoying some warm tea and milk biscuits. The old lady looked composed knitting and her granddaughter looked happy watching cartoon movies on TV.

            “Avelie, I saw a cute cat in the market. He looked sweet and funny. I mean to bring him to our house. What do you think?” She peeked from the glasses perching on her nose.

            “Oh Granny, that would be great! This house seems quiet without that lazy funny animal.” Exclaimed Avelie with sparkling eyes.

            “I knew you`d love it.” She said smugly and continued knitting.

            Popo, who heard their chat from the bottom of the wall unit, was shocked and panicked. He paced back and forth swearing and ranting.

            “What shall we do this time? We won`t be free anymore to steal those yummy cookies when there is that ugly hideous furry animal.” He swore.

            “Huahm …calm down. So far, we have succeeded in kicking out thirteen of them. Tomorrow will be the fourteenth.” Said Pupu sleepily and lazily. His eyes felt heavy after devouring some pieces of cheese cake. He soon dwelled in a noisy slumber with his fat stomach facing upwards.

            Next morning, Popo and Pupu jumped impatiently onto a chair by the window when they heard the rumble of the old lady`s car. They scrutinized the cat hopping out of the car. The cat had thick fur with black spots over his body and his left eye. Those spots on his legs made him look as if he was wearing black socks.

            “That stupid cat looks more like a cow than a cat.” Said Popo.

            “You`re right. He definitely looks like a cow with a bell on its neck. But he doesn`t look callous.” Pupu commented.

            “Cih! Don`t be fooled by his friendly look. Cat is the sneakiest animal on earth. They look sweet, but attack from the back.” Corrected Popo.

            “Yeah, you`re right.” Agreed Pupu.                                     

            Popo and Pupu alertly jumped to the bottom of the chair when the door creaked open. They peeked at the old lady entering the house while carrying the cat in her arms.

            “Ah, this is my house and your new home. I live with my adorable granddaughter. She is still at school at the moment. She is lively and lovely. You will be good friends soon. I hope you like staying with us.” Said the friendly old lady while stroking his fur. The cat purred and patted his head on her left arm gratefully.

            Quietly, Popo and Pupu followed the old lady to the kitchen. But, the cat`s sensitive nose could detect their presence. From behind her left arm, he jerked his head. Popo and Pupu froze in alarm, holding their breath when their eyes met his. But, his eyes were tender, he did not seem to attack them.

            “You wait here.” Commanded the old lady.                 

            “I will get you a tuna and a bowl of milk. You must be very hungry and thirsty, sweet cat.” She patted the cat`s head. He landed his legs on the kitchen floor for the first time. Like normal cats, he pricked his nose over the place which was still strange to him. When he sniffed the stink of mice from the bottom of the refrigerator, he stopped and dropped his stare. Popo and Pupu backed to the wall in panic. But, Popo put an effort not to look scared. He gawked at the cat defiantly. The cat smiled friendlily at them and continued sniffing other places.

            “He doesn`t look dangerous. His eyes look kind and sincere.” Commented Pupu while watching the cat slowly moving away from their hideout.

            “How many times should I tell you not to be fooled by his soft eyes?” Popo retorted furiously. But, Pupu did not mind him as he was absorbed in the sight of something mouthwatering.

            “Oh, that milk looks very tasty. I always want to taste it.” Pupu gazed at the milk thirstily. Saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth. But, Popo pretended not to be swayed by the sight of the milk. He struggled hard not to dribble.

            “And that yummy tuna, I can smell its glorious smell from here.” Popo gulped.

            Hearing Pupu`s last comment, the cat eyed to the bottom of the refrigerator.

            “You can eat with me, if you wish. There`s enough tuna and milk for the three of us.” Invited the cat amiably. Pupu was going to give in the invitation, if Popo did not prevent him.

            “It`s a trap. Wake up!” Popo slapped Pupu`s head.

            “Fine, if you don`t trust me.” Said the cat, exasperated.

            “I`ll leave this kitchen so you can feast on the tuna and milk in peace.” Said the cat, leaving the kitchen coolly. Actually, he was still hungry and thirsty because he only ate and drank a little for few days. But, for them, he sacrificed.

            Just after the cat left the kitchen, Pupu hurtled out from his hideout to devour the tuna and milk. But, Popo was still alert incase the cat came back to attack them. When he did not sense any danger anymore, he joined Pupu giving in to the delicious temptation.

*****

            In the afternoon, the cat met his other mistress. Avelie looked thrilled when she saw him after school. She beckoned her finger to him and he obediently approached her. He patted his head on her hand and she lifted him with both hands and hugged him lovingly. Then, she pulled away and scrutinized him. She furrowed her eyebrows in thinking gesture. After a few seconds of pause, she beamed and called him, Cowie. She named him Cowie because of his spotted fur which resembled the pattern of cow skin. Tough he did not understand that, he was so thankful and cheerful because now he had a name.

Next afternoon, Cowie was sleeping on the warm puffy couch when he heard the loud-cracking sound of a broken glass. He jumped off the couch reflexively. His fur pricked in alarm and his eyes scowled in terror. Right at the moment, Avelie rushed into the room.

            “Oh Cowie, what have you done?” She looked upset at him.

            “You dropped granny`s favorite crystal vase and now it`s broken.” She accused him with her arms akimbo. Cowie stared at her innocently. But, he could not defend himself and explain it since he did not speak human language and since it was only him in the crime scene, the sole suspect.

            “You won`t get dinner tonight for your misconduct!” Punished Avelie while clearing up the shattered glass from the floor.

            Seeing her angry face, Cowie dropped his head sorrowfully. He did not understand why the vase could fall. Just when he was thinking of this, he heard Popo and Pupu giggling from under the wall unit.

            “Hihihi, mission accomplished! Let the cat learn the lesson.” Said Popo smugly.

            “Right. I hope they throw him out of this house very soon.” Commented Pupu.

            “Why did you do that?” Cowie asked incredulously.

            Seeing his head at the bottom of the wall unit, Popo and Pupu spontaneously backed to the wall.

            “Poor Granny. She loved the vase very much.” He said regretfully.

            “We don`t like you!” Shouted Popo in a fierce tone. Inside, he was very panicked and terrified.

            “But what have I done?” Asked Cowie confusedly.

            “Because you`re a cat. We loathe cats.” Retorted Popo firmly. Pupu was speechless. His body was trembling and his legs were wet in fear.

            “They are sneaky and fond of eating us!” Popo gawked at Cowie with hate-filled eyes.

            “But I`m not that kind. I never hurt you. I wanna be your friend.” Said Cowie sincerely. Popo snorted at the remark.

            “No, you`re the same. Anyway, mice never befriend cats.” Said Popo in a firm tone.

            Cowie sat on a chair by the window with an empty stomach. But, he was not sad because of that. He was sad because Popo and Pupu did not want to be his friends. He was sad because granny and Avelie did not want to speak to him and stroke his fur all night long. For the first time in that house, he felt so lonely.

*****

            A few days had passed since the incident. Cowie regained granny and Avelie`s warmth and affection. They looked as though they had forgiven him.

            He lay comfortably on the warm soft couch next to granny who was knitting calmly. He watched her knitting. It was half made. Granny eyed him and smiled pleasantly.

            “I`m knitting a sweatshirt for Avelie. Hopefully, I can finish it before winter.” Said granny, answering his thought. He patted his head on her thigh.

            “Ah, it`s time for Avelie to wake up. I must prepare warm tea and cookies.”

            Granny laid the half-made sweatshirt on the couch and walked to the kitchen. He wanted to follow her to the kitchen, but she stopped him. She told him to stay and he obeyed. He was a sweet docile cat.

            Not long after she left him, his stomach ached. He needed to poop. So, he got off the couch and streaked out through the cat-door. Hurriedly, Popo and Pupu emerged from under the wall unit. They jumped onto the couch and messed the knitting.

            “This time, he will get scolded again and we can start counting the days till he is kicked out of this house.” Said Pupu delightedly while ripping the knitting with his sharp claws.

            “Yes. It`s about time he left the house.” Popo agreed while ripping the knitting with his teeth.

            “Crikey! What are you doing with granny`s knitting?” Cowie jumped onto the couch. At the same time, Popo and Pupu streaked off the couch to their den. Cowie stared at the knitting sullenly.

            “Oh Cowie! You are very naughty!” Granny put the tray of tea and cookies on the table and snatched the half-made sweatshirt. Cowie was appalled to see granny appearing back from the kitchen and accusing him of ruining her knitting.

            “Uh my sweatshirt. Avelie won`t not be able to wear it in the winter.” She stared at her knitting gloomily. Seeing her gloomy face, he felt brokenhearted. When she pointed her index finger to the door without looking at him and punished him to feed himself dinner and sleep outside that night, he felt much more sorrowful.

            Cowie got off the couch faintly. He wanted to defend himself, but it was not possible. He could only accept his bad luck. When he passed the wall unit, he could hear Popo and Pupu guffawing at his misery. He repented their mischief, but he did not hold a grudge toward them. He was a very patient and forgiving cat.

*****

            It was a new year`s eve. Every member of family gathered to celebrate it together. For that, since noon, granny and Avelie looked very busy. They cooked much food and baked many cookies and cakes. Cowie watched their moves enthusiastically from the top of the cupboard. While, Popo and Pupu waited impatiently from under the refrigerator for the chance to steal the food and cookies.

            When the members of family arrived at the house, he scrutinized them one by one. There was a beautiful aunt Amerie with her handsome boyfriend. There were aunt Divie and uncle Fisk with their sixteen-year-old son named Grey. Both of them were fat. There were Avelie`s mom and dad carrying her eleven-month-old brother named Willie. They all looked kind and friendly. Cowie felt lucky to be a part of them.

            Mom put Willie on the couch in the living room to help granny serve the dishes on the dining table. Grey was told to look after Wille. Unfortunately when his cell-phone rang, he forgot his duty. He was so busy talking on the phone with his girlfriend that he did not notice when Willie climbed down the couch. Cowie watched and followed Willie crawling to the kitchen. When he passed the dining room, no one saw him since each of them was busy arranging and serving the dishes on the table.

            When he reached the kitchen, Cowie was aghast to see Popo and Pupu gnawing at the turkey which had just been taken out of the oven. Apparently, no one thought that there would be mice spoiling their turkey when they were not watching.

“Oh, it`s you again!” Cowie jumped onto the table where the spoiled turkey was laid. At the same time, Popo and Pupu jumped off the table to the bottom of the refrigerator. But, Pupu managed to bring a big piece of it with him. Unfortunately, it was not Cowie`s day again. Aunt Divie busted him standing close to the spoiled turkey.

            “Oh, the cat ate our turkey!” Shrieked aunt Divie.

            Hearing it, the rest of the family rushed into the kitchen. They threw blaming and fuming look at him. Cowie felt helpless. He looked at them with begging eyes. But, no one pitied him.

            “Cowie, you….” Granny scowled at him with chagrin.

            “Fine, I`ll take you back to the market tomorrow.” Said granny firmly.

            Cowie felt very miserable. It was the thing that he hoped not to ever hear it. He liked the family so much, especially Avelie and granny. He also liked this house. It felt homey and peaceful. But, what could he do?

            “Mo-use hie mo-use hie.” Willie, who had been sitting and watching since the beginning, blubbered excitedly and pointed his finger to the bottom of the refrigerator. He immediately got everyone`s attention. They looked bewildered and awed in unison to see his behavior. Mom understood that her son was trying to show them something, so she dropped her head and looked down at the bottom of the refrigerator.

            “Blimey, mice! The mice spoiled the turkey. I see one of them with a piece of it.” Shouted mom.

            Realizing the threatening danger, Popo and Pupu streaked out of their hideout.

            “Cowie, go get the mice! Don`t let them escape!” Commanded Avelie. Cowie immediately jumped off the table to chase Popo and Pupu. They ran past the dining room to the living room. He ran faster to intercept them. He succeeded in edging them to the wall. They cowered against the wall. Their eyes filled with terror.

            “Don`t be afraid. I won`t hurt you. I have a great plan.” Cowie assured them.

            Cowie told the plan to Popo and Pupu. Actually, they did not believe his good intention, but they had no choice. They feigned death when Cowie bit their necks and carried them past the family. Thus, everyone thought that Cowie had paralyzed them.

            Outside, Cowie slackened his bite and released them. Popo and Pupu had not really expected that Cowie would help them after what they had done to him. They felt embarrassed and overwhelmed.

            “Cowie, please forgive us. We have done very filthy things to you all this time.” Said Popo regretfully.

            “Yes, we are so sorry that we have mistaken you too.” Added Pupu sheepishly.

            “Forget it, I understand your reason.” Said Cowie forgivingly.

            “No, Cowie. You must tell us how to mend our mistakes and release us from this guilty feeling.” Popo said persistently.

            “Yeah Cowie so we can be free from this guilt.” Agreed Pupu.

            “Fine, if you insist.” Cowie sighed.

            “You must take me as your friend and we are even.” Said Cowie firmly.

            “Gladly!” Exclaimed Popo and Pupu in unison.

            “And promise me not to steal again.” Added Cowie.

            “Hmm...” Popo was considering.

            “Uh…” Complained Pupu. This condition was too difficult for Pupu since he could not stop eating.

            “Hey, don`t worry. You won`t be hungry. I will share all my meal with you. Besides that, you could eat the leftovers.” Cowie assured his new friends. He understood what they were worrying about.

            “Deal!” Said Popo firmly.

            “Mmm, fine.” Said Pupu halfheartedly.

            Cowie felt very happy that he could solve his problem in this house and get two new friends. He then lived happily with his beloved family. Good deeds had earned him a peaceful and blissful life.

*****