It was rare for the wind to blow from the north but on a certain Thursday it did and that's when the stray cat in the abandoned garage across the street gave birth to three kittens. That east wind also brought cold to that late march and the mother struggled to feed herself and her kittens through a cold and rainy April. But the weather warmed in May and the kittens began to sun themselves daily.
The orange tabby was the first one out. He would go on to do great things but this story isn't about him. He would pause every two or three steps to lick himself—even then being caught up in his own vanity that would be truly revealed years later in his tax returns.
Then came the the dark one—a kitten not quite black but a dark slate gray with a whitish tip to her tail. She, too, would make her own rich and luxurious history and be singly responsible for the return of beaver pelt fashions.
The third one did not peek out timidly or slowly emerge into the sunshine with caution but rather strutted. He stopped when he was full in the sun and stretched and extended his claws. The warm sun was showing him his world and it was time to make his entrance. It was as if he knew what was going to happen next and he was not just simply offering himself up to fate but actually looking fate in the eye and smiling.
And so fate smiled back and brought the little boy who lived down street to walk by at that moment. With the unfamiliar sounds and shape looming into their world the orange tabby and dusky kitten both darted back under cover. But not the third one. He kept sunning himself. It was easy for the boy to spot him—his stark black and white patches made him extra visible against the rock and wood background.
The boy stopped and called to him. “Here, kitty kitty.” The black cat looked over at his two littermates for a moment then trotted up to the little boy and allowed himself to be picked up and taken home.
“Did you see that?” Said the orange tabby. He came when he was called.”
“I did see such a thing,” said the dusky kitten, “and I feel that it has shown me a new way, a different way.”
Outside the weather had turned again and it began to snow.
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