Tabby stretched on the warm porch. Across the street through their picture windows, Spot cat and Fluffy cat glared at him in envy. Tabby ignored the poor sods. Baring his canines in a wide, luxuriant stretch, he considered the day's potential. The spring air was full of delicious smells; mouse and softened earth, feathermoult and budding green; worm and ant and scurry crawly things yet to be discovered. Panting gently, he savoured every nuance of springscent. Silly birds twittered and gossiped amongst themselves. Tabby leapt in to the dappled shadows to his familiar run. How lovely after the long winter to step along dry, sunwarmed earth. His carefully chosen path was dry beneath, tangletwigs above providing shade and concealment from threat and prey. Skunk and porcupine had borrowed his trail, but the scent was old. Footpad of mouse and hop-hop sparrow trail crisscrossed tantalizingly in front of him. He followed a promising trail.
"Danger! Danger! Hunter on the loose! Hunter on the loose!" Above him Jay, well out of reach, squawked with all his might. Tabby glared. Slunk a little lower, he hurried on. No use. The pesky jay flitted along beside him, keeping up his raucous warning. Tabby hurriedly looked around him. Sparrows and starlings and robins had all fled a safe distance. The Magpies chuckled before going back to teasing dog. The sparrows laughed. "Look at the silly cat! We can all see you there! Good try! Why dont you just go back to your warm bed? The robin trilled with dignity, "How dare you try and fool us you wicked cat! Thank goodness we have Jay to warn us." With the birds jeering all the way, tabby slunk to his refuge under the porch. He dared not look across the street. He decided it was a good time to take a nap. When his owner got home that night, he hurried inside without a backward glance.
Over the next few days the pattern continued. Soon Jay was waiting for him in the cedar by the door. As soon as Tabby made his appearance, the squawking would start. Tabby once took a swipe at the stupid Jay. It flitted out of his way laughed. How could such a loud and ungainly bundle of feathers make him feel so awkward? Stupid birds. Tabby captured three bluebottles and one plump bumblebee.
One bright morning, the cedar was silent. Tabby could barely contain his delight. Perhaps a hawk had finally got that pesky bird. Or perhaps the silly Jay had stepped on a live wire and toasted itself. Tabby wasted no time on grooming or stretching. Eagerly he trotted along his hunting path, savouring his privacy and his freedom. A flash of blue caught his eye. Reflexively, Tabby slunk down. So Jay was still around, but quiet this time. That flash of blue feathers was busy doing something in that tree. Aha, he was robbing a nest. Tabby grinned. "Hey Jay. I guess you are no vegetarian either, huh!" Jay said nothing, but hurried along his on his dirty deed. This was just too priceless. Tabby trotted along his favourite path between the houses. He found the mob gossiping companionably in the apple tree. "Hey birds!" The flock started and fluttered higher in the tree.
Hey birds! I thought you should know something.
Nasty cat. What makes you think you have anything important to say?
Oh yeah? Your friend Jay is robbing your nests right now.
Ha ha! Mocked the sparrows. Why should we believe you, you wicked cat.
Robin trilled, "You have proven yourself to be an evil hunter, cat. Jay, on the other hand, is trustworthy and true. Why should we believe anything you say? You are just trying to fool us."
Yeah, jeered the sparrows. Wicked cat! Wicked cat! Jay keeps us safe, ha ha. We don't fear you! Slink back to where you belong.
Hey, it's your children. No fur off my tail. At that, Tabby strolled away.
Magpie excused himself. If you don't mind, I just remembered I had some housekeeping back at the nest.
You don't believe that untrustworthy old cat, do you? Robin teased.
Ha ha. Believe the wicked old cat over Jay! Jay has always spoken the truth. The sparrows congratulated each other for their dazzling wit.
Ah well, I think I will go check all the same. At that, Magpie hurried for home.
The next day was full of sights and smells as before, but the trees were silent. Tabby sunned on his porch and leisurely groomed himself. "You wicked cat!" Tabby glanced up. Robin's normally immaculate breast was ragged. He was fluffed out as if it were the middle of winter. "I dont know how you did it, but I am sure you are responsible!"
Oh yeah, Robin? Tell me all about it.
You took my babies, didnt you.
Whatever. Robin, go build yourself another nest. And next time, dont tell Jay where you built it.
Edited by - jgnat on 28 December 2002 13:23:12