Week 8: Amanda Whitworth - A Cat Who is Afraid of Mice

Full Prompt: “A cat named Joe who is afraid of mice and loves to wear bowties and swim in lakes”

Story:

Joe is a cat. Joe loves to do cat things. He enjoys sleeping in the sun, climbing trees, playing with string; however there are some things Joe enjoys that other cats do not. And there is one thing in particular other cats enjoy that Joe does not. Joe is afraid of mice.

Joe checked over his shoulder to make sure his owner was distracted. It was in the kitchen, doing some sort of human thing- preparing food that did not smell good. If Joe was being completely honest, which he always was, the human did not even appear to enjoy the fragrant-less food when they ate it. Joe straightened his bowtie and slunk out the door. 

A little known fact about cats is when they run off it is to join other cats. They convene and talk about their pursuits. They talk about their owners. They talk about other cats. Unfortunately, as in any society, there is a hierarchy. More unfortunately there is also judgement. In these circles Joe is judged. And like in most societies he is judged for something silly- he is judged for his appearance. Joe is judged for his bowties. 

Now if the other cats were to stop and ask Joe about his his neckwear, rather than talk behind his back, they would learn he wears them because they make him feel good. Because he likes the way they look and because they embolden him. They give him a sense of pride. 

As any other day Joe ignored the snickers and eye rolls and glares. He was accustomed to them by now. No amount of jeers or back handed comments were going to dissuade the dawning of his ties. No. Joe strode proudly through the feline gathering knowing eyes were on him, as usual. Today, however, it seemed an unusual amount of eyes. He noticed those eyes narrow. He noticed backs arch and tails waive. He saw heads lower and gazes focus- something was off. Joe looked behind him to see an unwitting mouse following along. This sight would have been welcome to many cats, but as we said, Joe is afraid of mice. In horror, Joe shot five feet in the air. The other cats, first in bewilderment, then in realization lost interest in the tiny mouse and began to cry in laughter at yet another attribute of Joe’s. Having landed, Joe hung his head. It was at this time, fortunately for him but unfortunately for the mouse, it darted away. Every cat, save for Joe, followed. 

Fiona was no ordinary mouse. Fiona knew cats were afraid of water and made her way directly toward a nearby lake. The pounce of cats closing in quickly, she mustered all the might in her little mouse body and jumped from the shore into the water. She quickly swam to an abnormally large leaf floating in the lake, and pulled herself atop. 

Charlie, a large Tabby cat, whose eyes were bigger than his stomach and whose brain was just a tad smaller than it, bounded after Fiona, leaving all the other cats on the rocks. Charlie made it several yards out into the lake before he realized what he had done. The rest of the cats stood on dry land, watching in horror. None moved to help Charlie who was now frantically splashing in the middle of the lake. Fiona couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sorrow for her would be hunter, as she safely floated away. All of the cats stood frozen watching their friend in panic, as a black streak darted betwixt them and leapt into the water. You see, the other thing that Joe liked to do, which the other cats didn’t, was swim.  

Both now back ashore, Joe began to receive praise. Forgetting all about his bowties and all about his being afraid of mice, the other cats extolled Joe’s prowess. He had saved Charlie. He was their hero.

Joe wrung out his bowtie and began to walk away.

“Joe, where are you going??” asked Baguette, merrily.

Joe stopped and looked around in utter bewilderment. He finally blurt out: “My whole life you have made fun of me. Now, now only because you needed me, now you want me here? Now you want to praise me? Not a single one of you moved to help your friend who was alone and afraid. Why? Why didn’t you try to help Charlie? Yes, I am afraid of mice- but all of you are afraid of water! What’s the difference?! We all are afraid of something.” 

The cats were silent and Joe continued: “You looked at me and judged me immediately by what I wear. By how I look. It was that way from day one and every day since. None of you thought to ask me about my bowties. Not a single one of you was curious instead of judgmental… We’re all afraid… of different things. But we’re all good at different things too! And we all like different things! So what’s wrong with that?!“

All of the cats cast their heads downward. Joe was right. They hadn’t taken the time to ask him about himself rather than judge him.

“I don’t actually like string…” offered Binx, shyly. “It’s weird and I don’t like how it moves.” 

The cats looked around at one another. 

“I wish my collar was turquoise!” yelled Carlisle. 

“I love Alabaster’s white tail!” meowed Paris.

“…. I did always admire your bowties… I was just afraid to say so because of what the group might say…” Mocha admitted. 

Charlie, coming to his senses, stepped forward. 

“Joe, I think we all learned something today- and speaking for myself, but hopefully for everyone else as well, we will try to be better in the future… And we’re sorry.” 

Joe, stone-faced, remained quiet for some time. Looking around at all of his peers he finally uttered: “all any of us can do is try.” 

From that day on the cluster of cats operated just a little bit differently. And Joe kept dressing as smart as ever.