[Story 04] The House Cat and Miss Birdbrain

Theme: A character that is preferably not human, suitable for children

A House Cat trying to free itself and the other pet bird, only to get pecked for its efforts.

______________________________________________________________________

Set up - a House Cat trying its daily attempts to get free, and set the new pet bird free too.

Confrontation - The bird is frightened when the House Cat managed to get up to its cage. Out of desperate fear, the bird pecked the cat's paw.

Resolution - The bird got free in the end, but the House Cat received nothing for the troubles other than an injured paw. 

______________________________________________________________________

The House Cat opened his eyes lazily as he heard the main door slammed shut, indicating the inferior beings had left the house for the day.

He would be free to roam around, trying to find a way out of this place. He longed for the great outside, with the warm sun gently bathing him with its rays, the breeze ruffling his fur, and the sweet smell of the soil. But he was trapped in here, with the inferior beings refusing to leave him alone in peace, molesting him with their dirty hands, feeding him with disgustingly tasteless dry bits while they enjoyed their feast.

Today, he would be free.

He leapt down from his hiding place, on top of a tall cupboard behind some rolls of paper. It was a little dusty, but it was better than being harassed. He set about his daily routine of checking all possible exits, first padding towards the biggest room where the main door was.

Movement!

The House Cat cowered a little behind the door, ready to escape or surprise. Sensing no other movement and hearing no sounds, he peered around the corner, looking curiously at where he had sensed a living creature.

It was a new object, made of columns of iron bars, hanging from a hook near one of the tiny open windows. It was what the inferior beings called a ‘cage’.

“Who’s there?” a voice from the cage chirped fearfully.

The House Cat jumped onto the TV console, and peered up. “You’re worse off than me,” he purred sadly, “You’re trapped inside such a small cell where you have hardly any room to flap your wings. Your kind belongs to the sky, not here.”

“…Yes. But I was trapped due to a moment of carelessness.”

“I will set you free.” With that, the House Cat gathered all his strength to his hind legs and leapt towards the cage.

With the looming sight of an open mouth full of sharp teeth and outstretched claws, the bird flapped about and squeaked in panic. A paw managed to catch hold of the bottom of the cage.

“A cat! A cat! You’re going to eat me!” The bird wailed in despair.

“Such foolishness. As expected from a birdbrain.”

“Save me!” With that, the bird gathered her courage and fluttered down to the bottom of the cage and started pecking the paw.

“Stop that! You birdbrain! I’m setting you free!” the House Cat hissed.

The bird, never saying a word, continuing pecking for her dear life.

With a hiss of pain, the House Cat reached up desperately with another paw, blindly swiping the lock that is holding the cage closed, before dropping to the ground – elegantly of course.

“I’m free!” the bird sang as she flew out of the window.

“Good riddance.” The House Cat muttered, licking his injured paw. He went off to hide before the inferior beings come back and make a fuss.

He would definitely escape tomorrow when he is feeling better.