II

everyone
As Effie opened the door, the soft mewling of a kitten hit her ears. She searched behind her to see
if a cat had found its way into the house when she had been lugging the suitcases in, but didnt
find the source. She stepped onto the porch and looked under the small wicker table by the door;
she wandered to the left and peered over the railing, but found nothingas she neared the right
side, however, the mewling became more frantic. She heard the rustle of leaves from beneath a
bush just below the edge of the porchconcerned, Effie dashed off the porch and around to the
side, where she could see the flicking tail of the sounds producer. With care, she moved the leaves
aside and pulled out the mass of grey and white fur. She turned it around and found it staring at
herit had ceased its mewling and had begun to purr.
You poor thing. Here, lets get you inside for some food. Effie tried to adjust the kitten, but
it bit into her thumb and jumped to the ground. No, silly kitty, let me take care of you!
The kitten turned back and mewled, then seemed to nod its head in the direction of the
forest path behind the house. As she took a step forward, the kitten bounded toward the trees, only
to stop again and turn to face her. Something in the way the kitten was bounding off then turning
around caused Effie to think that it wanted to be followed.
All right, little one, Im coming! She called to the felinewith what seemed like another
nod, the kitten ran into the trees before she could reach it. She continued to chase the furry
creature, around bends in the path and over fallen logs. It wasnt until the kitten reached a small
clearing that it stopped and flopped over onto its side, closing its eyes to the dim sunlight
streaming through the trees. Effie came upon it, slowing down to walk as she caught her breath.
Well, little kitty, what did you want to show me?
The kitten perked its ears and rolled onto its back, exposing the soft white fur of its belly.
Effie could hear the purrs in the silence of the forestshe knelt down and rubbed the kitten until
it grabbed at her hand and nibbled on her fingers. It didnt protest when she slipped her other
hand under it and lifted it from the ground, nor did it fight as she cuddled it against her chest.
The clearing was strangled by tall grass and climbing vines, reaching along the trunks and
branches; the grass was bent, here and there, as if animals had made the area their home. Though
she could seeand feelthe creeping forest fog, Effie felt little pricks of warmth from the rays of
sunlight dotting the ground. She walked in a spiral around the clearing, each trip around bringing

her closer to the centre. As she put one foot in front of the other, the toe of her boot hit something
hard. Effie looked down and saw a small chest partially hidden in the grassit was, perhaps, half a
foot in length, with a lock on it. The kitten mewled as Effie bent to pick it up, but continued to purr
as she adjusted the chest and the kitten for easier travel.
All right, kitty, lets get home and eat some dinner. She smiled down at the feline and left
the meadow and the sunlight and bent blades of grass behind. As she walked, Effie hummed to the
kittenher attempt at keeping the animal calmand made note of all the flourishing plants and
flowers. Where it seemed that the trees and bushes nearer the road were shedding their leaves, the
farther from the house a person was meant the green their surroundings. Effie made a note to
write her observations in her journal before bed. It was an easy way to centre her thoughts and
keep her mind focused and on track.
She could see the soft lights of her cabin not too far in the distance, and felt relieved to be
nearing the comfort and warmth of her new home. Though she was concerned about interacting
with the townspeople, Effie was positive she would enjoy her stay surrounded by silence and
nature.
With care, Effie opened the front door and closed it behind her. She placed the chest on her
desk, and walked to the couch to create a nest for the kitten. A pillow and her scarf protected the
sleeping feline from called, discomfort, and falling off the couch as she inched away to the kitchen
to stoke the embers and put the water back on for tea and instant soup. She searched the
refrigerator and found a package of deli meat; in the cupboard she found two cans of tuna. Feeling
certain that the kitten was old enough to eat solid foods, Effie opened the can and emptied it, juice
and all, onto a small saucer. Turning, she almost dropped the dish on the floor out of shockthe
kitten had, with all of its cat-like stealth, sneaked into the kitchen while she had been fixing it
dinner.
Did you smell the tuna, or did you hear me opening the can? She laughed as she placed the
saucer on the floor near the archway separating the kitchen from the living room. The kitten
mewled in response as it dug into the tuna. Well, I think you have the right idea, kitty. Time for
some grub.
When the water was boiling, Effie poured according to the markings on her cup of soup
and refilled her tea cup after changing the bag. With fork, soup, and tea in hand, she moved to the
living room and sat on the couch. The soup was unappetizing and over salted, but it was
something in her stomach until she was able to take stock of her cupboards and determine what all
she would need from the store in town. As she listened to the purrs and soft mewls of the kitten,
Effie opened her journal and took up a pen.

Everyone should spend some time with a cat