friends

So no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Hello. This Cat.

Cat has many friend. Strange friends, funny friends. Not just other cats—no. Cat’s world bigger than that. Cat likes variety. Keep life interesting. Each friend bring something different:

🐿️ Like Squirrel. Always zipping-zap, up tree, down tree. Chitter-chatter, never stop talking. Cat sits, watches, tail flicking, very entertaining. Squirrel is small, but brave. Puffs tail, stands tall even when scared. Cat admires courage.

🐈‍⬛ Neighborhood Cat? Its complicated. Sometimes friend, sometimes enemy. Very many starings—long stares. Who blink first? Sometimes Cat swats, sometimes purrs. Deep down, same. Both cats, both proud. Even if not besties: share mutual respect.

🐕 Dog Next Door. Loud. Always wag tail like broom, bark like thunder. “Woof! Woof!” Dog want Cat to run, to play. *Eyeroll* Cat too dignified to run, but sometimes, Cat chase for fun. Cat sneaks close…Dog pretend not see. Tail wag always gives away.

More friends? Yes. Cat has a few more. Some friends play. Some are yappers. And some just ~quietly exist~. Cat tell readers more.

Dustbunny

Lives under couch. Small and quiet, but not shy. Dustbunny has secrets. Big secrets. Knowings about world, about stars, about spaces between things. Sometimes Cat peek under couch, and Dustbunny whispers wisdoms. “Cat,” Dustbunny says, “do you know why sunlight feels so good? Feel good because sun is a hug from the cosmos.” Cat listens, pretends not care, but secretly remembers every word.

Dustbunny is mystical, yes. Dustbunny also busybody. Knows everything about humans in house. “Did you see? Human dropped sock again. Always sock. Never learns.” Or, “Human is sneaking snacks after dark—thought nobody notice, but I saw.” Cat enjoys this gossip. Humors is important. Dustbunny is wise, but also silly. Perfect mix for Cat.

Mourning Dove

Dove sits outside window, so serious. “Coo coo,” like tiny grey poet. Cat listen, flicks tail. Thinks, “Why so sad, Dove? World not that bad.” But Dove knows things—about sky, about wind, about loss. Dove is wise, gentle…and plump. Cat could eat Dove, but Cat would never. Cat has very many admirations for tiny grey poet.

When wind blew hard, shook tree outside, Cat sat in window, watching Dove. Cat was sure Dove would fly away, but Dove stayed. Just sat, feathers ruffling, cooing soft, like wind was old friend. Dove is brave, Cat thinks. Sometimes Dove watches Cat. Not scared, just curious. Cat is curious too.

Curtain

Cat also has ally. Like friend, but different. Friend give love, ally give support. Cat’s ally is Curtain. Curtain is long, soft, and silent. Always there when Cat needs. Curtain is watcher, listener. Never speaks but always moves—gentle sway in breeze, quiet ripple when window opens.

Curtain hides Cat. When loud humans or noisy Dog visit, Cat slips behind Curtain, become invisibles. Curtain is shield, keeps world out, keeps Cat safe. Once, when human try to catch Cat for bath, Cat dart behind Curtain. Human looked, but could not see. Curtain not snitch. Curtain good ally.

Sometimes Curtain waves in morning sun, like whispering, “Come, Cat, nap here.” Cat climbs behind, watching world through soft folds. Safe, quiet, hidden. Curtain no laugh, no play, but always protect. Cat trusts Curtain.

There was time not too long ago when Cat no have friends. Just Cat, all alone. No Dog wagging, no Dove cooing, no Dustbunny whispering under couch. Cat wandered house, tail low, ears flat. No one to chase, no one to share, no one to share slow blinks with. Only shadows. Shadows not same as friends. Cat learned this.

Then, Cat meet Dustbunny. First friend. Very small, very quiet. Dustbunny not laugh or play. Just listen at first. Cat feel seen, even by tiny little dusting. Then came Squirrel. Loud, zippy, full of energy. Dog next door barked hello, and Dove perched outside, cooing soft. Curtains very shy, but eventually wave and welcome Cat. Slowly, Cat’s world filled with others.

Even enemies…

Yes, even cats have enemies. Cat has one enemy, make verrrry many irritations. This enemy? Vacuum. Loud, roaring, beast. Lives in closet, sleep most days away like lazy dragon. But when awake? Chaotic. Vacuum vrooms and guzzles. Eat crumbs, dusts, even socks! Cat make hissies, but Vacuum no care.

Once, Vacuum chase Cat. Vacuum came too close, Cat’s furs left behind. Cat ran, tail puffed up, heart racing. Vacuum growled “Next time, Cat!” Rude. Vacuum has no eyes, no ears, no soul—only noise and hungers. How can such thing exist? Cat not understand, but Cat knows this: Vacuum cannot be trusted.

Friends and enemies…both important.

Friends? Friends make sun patches bigger. Bring games, bring wisdoms, bring warmth. Alone, Cat is Cat. With friends, Cat is part of something bigger. Friends make naps cozier, make crunchies crunchier.

Enemies? Enemies make life sharp. Not soft, not warm—prickly, like thorn bush. But useful. Enemies teach Cat to watch, to wait, to leap at right time. Enemies make Cat stronger, smarter. Without enemies, Cat grow lazy. Forget how to hunt, how to climb, how to be Cat.

Cat values both friend and enemy. Friends for soft heart, enemies for sharp claws. Make for balance. Life not all nap, not all fight. Even enemy can help Cat grow. Even friend can make Cat sharp. Cat also think solitude important—alone time makes space for contemplate, makes quiet for listening to rustle of morning stars. Friend, enemy, solitude: all make for balance.

All part of being Cat in big, messy world.

What about online friends? Did Cat’s readers think Cat forget you? Never ever ever ever. Cat has very many online friends. Live inside metal box. Live in words. Live in tiny pictures, have name of avatar. Cat’s readers are all part of Cat’s crew.

Now Cat leave customary questions and demands. ≽👁️ܫ👁️≼

1️⃣ What one thing always wanted say to friend but haven’t yet?

2️⃣ For readers who no have very many friends, what like best about alone time?

3️⃣ What traits in a friend do you value the most?

4️⃣ Describe most unusual friend.

5️⃣ Please give advices for good ways to make friends.

May answer in comments (Cat will also accept tiny friend-shaped flavors 🍂🍤😸)

Thank you for playing, Cat 🐾

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>꒰˶꩜ܫ꩜˶꒱<      >꒰˶꩜ܫ꩜˶꒱<
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