Thupt, thapt, thupt, thapt, she padded up the lane. Her back was straight, her head held high. Thupt, thapt, nodded to the left. Thupt, thapt, nodded to the right. Acknowledging the applause, granting her admirers the pleasure of seeing her. They know I'm awesome, she thought. They know I'm the most ferocious, feared feline in this whole world. Thupt, thapt. They know I RULE!
As Runner made her way up the lane, dreaming her dreams, past the half-empty parking lot, past the empty treed play area, a real drama was playing out just around the corner. Mittens, an eight week old kitten was in trouble. He had wandered away from his apartment, further than he had ever been before. Usually, his play area was on his own patio, chasing frogs and lizards in the grass. Never catching any, but hey, that's the fun of learning, right? This fine, sunny morning, Mittens had chased a frog way out through the grass to under the trees. A long way for a little kitten. A lot of empty space between the trees and safety.
As Mittens took a rest under the tree, he heard screeching. Screeching like he had never heard before. That meant trouble somehow, he thought, but he wasn't sure exactly what. Mittens looked around but didn't see anything. He followed the noise and looked up. There, in the trees, was a mother Bluejay cleaning her nest and screeching at the top of her lungs. Three other Bluejays were circling around in the air screeching back. Wow thought Mittens. Wonder what the problem is? They're really upset about something! Ah, well, they'll shut up soon. I'll just take a nap right here. Warm, lovely grass, nice shady tree. Purrrrr. Yawn. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Whap! Zap! Ouch! My head hurts! Yyoowwllllll. Mittens jumped up, threw his paws up to his head, spun around to see what was hurting him and saw one of those Bluejays flying off. Another one was divebombing straight towards his head. Whap! Ouch. What's going on?? Mittens wanted to run home, but there was so much open space...what was he to do? He ran to the other side of the tree, just as another Jay shot straight at him. Whew. He escaped that one, but here came another one! Run, run quick, around the tree. The screeching was louder, Mittens howled louder. He spun round and round that tree.
The commotion finally penetrated Runner's dreams of grandeur. Her ears went up, her tail went out and off she ran towards the noise. Just as she got close, Whap! a Jay shot for her head. Well, she was having none of this!! No bird was going to mar her beautiful fur! Then she saw the baby spinning nearly out of control trying to get away from the divers.
Her maternal instinct took over and disregarding her own safety she ran for the trees and Mittens. Runner never even gave it a second thought. She ran right up that durn tree, right out on that branch and plopped herself right on that old Bluejay's nest! Plop! Spread out on all fours, she covered the nest and more! Mama Bluejay had been about to start laying her spring eggs, but at this terrible intrusion, she flew off to gather even more reinforcements. In two seconds every Bluejay in the area was headed right for Runner. All in formation, all aimed right for Runner's head, which just happened to be right on top of Mama Bluejay's nest!
Runner had to do something quick, but first she had to get up. She was spread out like a kitchen rug, the nest underneath her. She wiggled this way, she wiggled that way, finally she did a triple somersault through the air and landed on her feet, only a small distance away from Mittens. She felt something on her back, but didn't have time to pay attention to it. Runner ran for the kitten, grabbed Mittens up by the scruff in her mouth, and sped double-speed towards the patio.
Whap! Zap! The jays did their best to divebomb her, but Runner didn't get her name for nothing! Within seconds, she had the little kitten safe from harm. Mittens looked up at Runner, little eyes full of adoration. Runner felt that was her due, of course. Runner preened and then told the little one about how birds are afraid of cats because in the old days cats used to eat birds. The little kitten's eyes got even bigger, if that were possible. Mittens went "ssppfffft"! Then, imitating Runner, he began to prance back and forth.
One by one the jays flew away. Mamma Bluejay was back in her branch, surveying the damage and all was well with the world once again.
Oh yeah, Runner thought, she was the best. Thupt, thapt, she regally padded down the lane. Thupt, thapt, nod to the left. Thupt, thapt, nod to the right. Her head high, her back straight, she acknowledged the nonexistent applause. I Am Awesome! Thupt, thapt. Runner Rules, oh yeah! Thupt, thapt, she prances down the lane, pieces from the nest stuck on her back, swaying to her step.
And that's how Runner saved Mittens from the Bluejays.
Škjb
