Once upon a time in a picturesque little town, there lived a kind-hearted cat named Cleo. One sunny afternoon, while taking her usual stroll through the town square, she heard a soft whimpering sound. Curious, she followed the noise, only to find a tiny, frightened kitten crouched beneath a bench.
“Oh, you poor little thing!” exclaimed Cleo, her heart swelling with compassion. The little kitten, with its big round eyes and trembling paws, looked up at Cleo and immediately felt a sense of comfort. Cleo gently nudged the kitten with her nose and said, “Don’t worry. I’m here to help you.”
Cleo looked around but saw no one who seemed to belong with the little stray. “Where can I take you?” she pondered. “I could invite you to my house, but I do not know how to look after little kittens.”
Just then, Pandora the squirrel scampered by. “What seems to be the trouble, Cleo?” she inquired.
“I found this wee one crying all alone,” replied Cleo. “I wish I knew how to care for such a helpless creature. I am afraid that if I take it home, it will cry all night and will not let me sleep. I wish I could find a good home for it.”
“You come along with me to my house,” said Pandora, “and I will introduce you to Barbara, the mother hen. She has three little chickens, and she will be glad to help you take care of the kitten.”
“Oh, thank you! thank you!” purred Cleo, joyfully licking the little kitten. “Come, darling, do not be afraid.”
So saying, Cleo took the lead, followed by the tiny kit, and soon reached the house of Pandora. Upon hearing their arrival, Barbara pushed her way through some bushes and came waddling out, her little chickens trailing behind. She always seemed to be scratching for food, lest her children should go hungry.
“What is the matter, friends?” asked Barbara.
“This little kitten has been lost. Won’t you help us take care of it until we find a kind master to adopt it?” pleaded Cleo.
“Oh, yes, indeed!” replied Barbara, her motherly heart going out to the tiny creature. “I will bring it up with my little ones, and soon we shall hear of someone who will adopt it.”
So Pandora and Barbara took the kitten and Cleo home with them, and soon the little thing was fed and asleep, cuddled up between two warm chickens and purring happily. A little mouse brought it some milk, and the same day one of the best families in the village applied to adopt a kitten.
It was a sad parting; but Cleo promises to come and visit her friend “every single week.” And she did for many a day. So, you see, our little ones grow best under the care of a good mother.