Isacc was growing
up to be one very adventurous kitten. Already he had intimately explored
the garden and discovered many of its wonders. He had curiously watched
Tess his mother and Toby his much older brother and had learnt to do
so many amazing things. Isacc stood and looked around the garden. It
was a fun and magical place but he was growing increasingly restless
and the garden increasingly small. Closing his eyes and raising his
nose to the air he sniffed. A gentle breeze full of new and intriguing
smells blew across the garden enticing him. It was time to broaden his
horizons.
Isacc sat on the patio looking for Tess and Toby. Tess was easy to find.
She was sat on the back fence, tail hung low, ears thrust forward as
she watched the world go by beyond the garden. What she saw there Isacc
had no idea but he longed to see for himself. Toby he was sure was hiding
in the bushes secretly watching him, waiting all poised for the moment
when he could leap out and take him by surprise. Isacc scanned the bushes
his young eyes and ears missing nothing. He looked for the slightest
flicker of a twig or the softest rustle of a leaf that would give his
presence away but he saw nothing. He waited and waited ready for the
attack but it did not come. Maybe he thought he had got it wrong.
When Toby finally attacked Isacc’s senses were down. Toby had
stealthily watched from the bushes as Isacc grew sleepy. Not a muscle
or a whisker did he twitch. Nothing had given him away and he had picked
his time perfectly. Toby was sleek and fast and was upon poor Isacc
before he knew what was happening. His paws caught him a lightning blow
to his shoulder and Isacc rolled over. Instinctively he hissed and held
out his paws to fight but Toby was relentless and fast. Little bites
rained down upon Isacc’s body nipping his belly and legs. He yelped
and tried to kick out but still he could not get up. Yipping in excitement
Toby straddled his body and continued to bite. Isacc continued to helplessly
wriggle and bite him back but it was having little effect.
Isacc was saved by the banging of the back door. Laden with washing
out came their owner. Toby released his hold and with another yip took
off down the garden. Isacc also fled in hot pursuit heading straight
for the garden fence. Isacc watched as Toby expertly leapt up the tree
in three mighty bounds then jumped across and onto the fence. As always
Isacc was very impressed. He had never tried to get up the tree before
but Toby had made it look so easy and he just knew that he could do
it. The bottom of the tree quickly approached and Isacc unsure exactly
what to do slowed down just a little. His balance was good and his timing
even better but it still took the wind from his chest as he hit the
tree. With all four legs spread wide and his claws holding well Isacc
was amazed that he had done it. Two foot from the floor he looked down.
Not very far from the ground. Then he looked up and saw just how far
he still had to go.
Toby looked down from his spot on the fence and purred softly swishing
his tail as Isacc struggled with the climb. Isacc’s legs were
beginning to ache as he held on. Looking up he saw Toby and Tess watching
him. He wanted to be like them. He wanted to see what they could see.
Encouraged by his belief he felt strength surge though his legs and
he knew that he should carry on. Taking a huge leap of faith he gathered
his energy into his back legs and he jumped. Again and again his claws
bit well into the bark and he did not fall. Excitement flowed through
his body as he reached the top. Now he could almost see over the fence
and marvel at what was on the other side. The climb had really taken
it out of his young inexperienced body. His breath was short and ragged
and the strength which had helped him to climb had quickly been used
up and gone.
Now Isacc’s legs
were really aching. Looking over at the fence he saw the gap that he
would have to jump to get there and his hopes instantly died. To him
it was a leap too far. Tired from his climb up the tree he knew that
he would never be able to do it. Toby excitedly continued to yip down
at him and pace without a single wobble up and down the fence. Isacc
tried to ignore him and looked longingly down at the garden he loved
so much. He looked at the grass and the flowers and all the bushes he
loved to play in and suddenly wanted to be amongst them. He felt proud
that he had managed to get up as high as he had but now he had to come
down. This time his jumps were more like a shuffle as he felt his way
backwards down the tree. He had none of the finesse or elegance of the
other older cats but that did not matter. Pieces of rough bark pulled
at his fur and he felt his claws ache with the effort of holding him
but eventually he made it. When he was near enough to the ground he
took one mighty leap and felt the wonderful green grass beneath his
feet.
Looking back with his tail happily swishing between his legs he saw
Toby and Tess still sat upon the fence. Tess was no longer watching
him. Her attention had been distracted elsewhere but Toby was still
intrigued by his efforts. Isacc felt encouraged by what he had done.
He had never climbed as high as that before and he just knew that maybe
not tomorrow but one day soon he would make it all the way. Trotting
up the garden path the breeze once again caught his nose and he sniffed.
Smells he still did not know invaded his senses. He looked up at the
high back fence and dreamed of the adventures he would have on the other
side. One day he thought I will do that.
September 2009
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