Let's do a cat story.
Rebecca was just ten years old and she wanted
a cat to come and live with her and her family.
She didn't know what the cat would look like,
but she said she would know it was the one
as soon as she saw it.
So the time came when she went with her mum
to the cat adoption centre.
As they walked through the doors, Rebecca couldn't believe her eyes;
row upon row of cats and kittens of all ages, sizes and colours.
Some noisy, (hands up Broccoli Highkicks)
some shy, (show your face Gary from Admin, for once)
some poking their faces through the front of their cubicle.
Some fast asleep and having a cheeky snore,
(that would be you Papa Coconuts)
some more dozy ones having a good old stare at the goings on
(That would be Ravioli Downpipe.)
The kittens of course were just acting daft
(including but not limited to) Bubbles McParty,
Tender Gary and Don Toffee.
Rebecca walked slowly up and down each side of the room,
taking time to look in each pen and assess whether each was 'the one'.
But by the time she had seen them all she hadn't felt that little buzz,
that little leap in her heart that would have told her
that she had found her special one.
"Can I just take all of them?" said Rebecca
"and then decide when we get home.
But not the kittens because they are just daft."
"No, we agreed just one, just your special one." said Rebecca's mum.
"I tell you what, I'll go outside and leave you alone with all the cats,
perhaps that will help you decide."
Rebecca's mum left and as soon as the door shut she heard, "Pssst"
and then "Oi over here" then, "Hi there Rebecca."
Some of the cats were speaking to her.
It was strange for sure, but it made Rebecca laugh.
A big white fluffy Persian cat with long whiskers and
a bit of a miserable face beckoned her over.
"Hello Rebecca, my name is Chips Whiffles, why don't you take me home.
I'm very classy and I never scratch
and I'm incredibly accurate with the litter tray.
Come on, take me home."
"Sorry Chips Whiffles, I don't think you're the one."
"Well I didn't want to come with you anyway.
I prefer it here, good riddance!" Chips said.
"Pssst" she heard again.
It was a short haired tabby cat with pointy ears
and a little pursed mouth.
"Hello there" said Rebecca "what's your name?"
"I'm Lynx Silversmith, I'm the prettiest, poshest cat in here.
Don't you think I'm gorgeous? I do."
"Yes you are very pretty" Rebecca replied.
"Well why don't you take me home with you?
You would be lucky to be seen with a cat as beautiful as what I am."
"Sorry Lynx Silversmith, I don't think you're the one."
"Actually, on second thoughts, I don't think I want to come with you.
I doubt your house would be sophisticated enough
for a cat as elegant as me. Good riddance to you!"
Rebecca turned to see a brown and tan coloured moggy
with white socks on and a black tip on her tail.
"What's your name?" asked Rebecca.
"I'm Connie Backwash. I'm the most intelligent cat in here.
Between you and me the rest of them are all a bit thick, you know?
Especially that Ravioli Downpipe, like.
"I'm sorry Connie Backwash. I don't think you're the one."
"Then you are as thick as this lot and
I'm glad I don't have to go to your boring home!"
Rebecca walked back past the cats and nobody else spoke.
It seemed that her special one wasn't here to be found.
Then in the final pen, just before the door out
she saw a little tail poking out
from under a blanket.
It twitched a little bit just as Rebecca walked past.
She leaned down to have a closer look.
"Hello there, what's your name?"
There was no reply, but the tail did give another little twitch.
Rebecca turned to leave then she heard
a little shy voice say, "Liquorice Mick."
The voice had come from under the blanket.
"Hello Liquorice Mick, why don't you come out from under the blanket
so I can see what you look like."
"Oh you don't want to see me, I'm just a plain sort of average cat,
nobody ever gives me a second look, but thanks for saying hello."
"Come on" said Rebecca;
"Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself,
It's nice to have a little chat."
"Well I like cat treats a lot.
I like flicking them under the cooker and the fridge.
I like staring out of windows too.
And I like watching David Attenbrough programmes,
but most of all I like sitting on people's laps
and having a nice fuss."
I've got to go now Liquorice Mick, but please could
I just have a little peak at you
so I can tell my mum about you?"
The blanket began to move and from underneath
Liquorice Mick slowly revealed himself.
He had a silky short-haired pure black coat
and big, bright lemon coloured eyes.
And that's when it happened.
Rebecca's tummy started to flutter
and her heart began to leap like a training shoe in a tumble drier.
Rebecca ran out of the door.
"Mum, Mum, Mum. I've found him. I've found my special one.
Mum come quick, he's beautiful!"
And she was right, because you see even though
they never shout about it,
black cats are indeed very, very special.
The end.