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A Midnight
Dance of Cat and Mouse
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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 look-alike
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 within 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
supposed to act like the Tom and Jerry??™s 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
Kathywhirity
@ yahoo.com |
