| Babu
and Fluffy, the Kitten |
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Babu was
like any other little boy of his age; tall, thin and charming
with bright eyes and prominent ears. He went to school,
played with friends, and did all the small things boys
of his age were doing. He threw the same types of tantrums
like his peers. Most of all, he disliked when his parents
told him to do things, and felt that they are troubling
him unnecessarily. At the time of this story, having a
pet had become a fashion among children. Babu was no exception,
and he yearned to have a pet, preferably a cat. Fortunately,
his friend Vinay, who lived close by, had a cat by name
Ginju.
Ginju was
a handsome female with golden brown stripes over her body,
and was about to litter any day. So Vinay suggested that
Babu ask his mother, Meena aunty to let him adopt a kitten.
After due deliberations at home, a delegation led by Mohan
anna was dispatched on the “mission” and succeeded in
convincing Meena aunty that Babu would look after the
kitten well.
So, the boys
were anxiously waiting for the D-day, which was fast approaching.
One fine morning, Vinay banged on the door to inform Babu
the happy news ¬? “Ginju had littered”.
There were five beautiful kittens; and Babu chose the
one with grey stripes and fluffy fur. It was a Tom and
he named him “Fluffy”.
Babu visited
Fluffy every day at Vinay’s home. Ginju did not let the
boys come near the kittens. However, they enjoyed watching
the tiny kittens feed and sleep most of the time. Slowly
the kittens started to move around, though the mother
was very protective. Finally they started playing and
the mother was comfortable letting the boys touch the
kittens.
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After a week or
so, Meenu aunty announced that it was time for Babu to take
the kitten, and Fluffy arrived home to a warm welcome. Mama
prepared a cozy corner in Babu’s room with old clothes for Fluffy
to sleep and Papa got the litter tray ready. Fluffy was slowly
getting used to the new surroundings. He drank milk from the
tiny bowl and played with Babu happily. In the night, he slowly
climbed on to Babu’s bed for warmth. Every day after school,
Babu would take Fluffy on his shoulders to the corner of the
compound with a grassy patch, where Fluffy played with gay abandon.
One day, Gingu
came through the window to visit Fluffy. She simply sat and
watched Fluffy play, which was indeed very happy to be with
his mother. The visits became regular and it appeared that Gingu
was not playing any more, but to Babu’s great dislike, she was
taunting and teasing Fluffy. He often tried to shoo her away
in vain. One day, Ginju jumped out of the balcony and urged
Fluffy to follow suit, which mewed incessantly out of fear.
Nevertheless, Ginju wouldn’t let go until Fluffy managed the
task. Then Ginju climbed up the wall into the balcony, but Fluffy
couldn’t make it as it was too high. Dismayed, Babu rushed to
Fluffy’s rescue.
“Mama… Ginju is
torturing Fluffy…” He complained bitterly to his parents. “Ginju
is training her little one”, said Mama soothingly. “Oh, he is
doing just fine by himself” grumbled Babu.
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Papa smiled
and said, “How do you know? It is not possible for us
to know all that a cat needs to learn to survive… “
Despite Babu’s displeasure, Ginju’s ministrations continued
until one evening when Babu found Fluffy climbing up the
wall all by himself into the balcony. Slowly, Ginju stopped
visiting Fluffy and started going in her own way.
A fortnight
had passed… It was a pleasant evening with the setting
Sun providing the right warmth and the gentle breeze ruffling
the leaves. Babu, having had his fill of evening snacks,
was playing with Fluffy near the window. Colonel Pratab
came along with his dog, a Doberman called “Ripper” ?
a ferocious dog known as “Killer “in the neighborhood.
Colonel Pratab held Ripper tightly on leash and started
talking to Papa. Ripper, who was lazily looking around,
got quite exited seeing Fluffy playing with a small ball.
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Suddenly, without warning Ripper unleashed
himself and charged after the kitten. Feeling petrified at the
sight of the huge dog, Fluffy started running helter shelter.
“Fluffeeeee…” frightened Babu followed Fluffy in quick succession.
“Ripper… STOP…” boomed Colonel Pratab. But the dog wouldn’t
listen. It was total confusion for a minute or two with Ripper
chasing Fluffy, and Babu and Colonel Uncle going after them.
Fluffy reached the rear wall and it was dead
end…All the bystanders feared the outcome….And then suddenly
it happened…In no time, Fluffy climbed the wall and charged
through the window at good eight feet height.
Babu ran into the house and retrieved
the shivering kitten from under the bed. Mama fed him some milk
and it took quite some time for Fluffy to recover. After Colonel
Pratab took leave with agitated Ripper, Papa entered the house.
He gave a knowing smile and asked Babu, “Now do you understand
why Ginju was so hard on Fluffy?”… Mama hugged him lovingly
and it said it all. As Babu took Fluffy out to his favorite
grass patch, he was feeling quite relieved and peaceful… He
told himself “I won’t grumble anymore if Papa and Mama ask me
to do something… because, there is always a reason behind it…
even if I don’t know it now, I will eventually know the reason”…
He stroked Fluffy the kitten gently…
his best friend indeed…
Contributing
Story Teller:
Rathika Lakshminarayanan, I am a professional medical
writer with passion for creative writing.
lrathika63@yahoo.co.in
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