(Page 1 of 3) Family Pets: The Life and Times of Meow Meow by Clifford Morton
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SUMMARY: The first chapter in a childrens story of some family friends and their challenge to save the pantry from raiding rats.Family Pets: The Life and Times of Meow Meow
by Clifford Morton
Chapter 1
The streetlights among the collection of town homes called Oceanfront Villas shined down in yellow columns during the night. Under the farthest streetlight, stood a signpost that read "Neighborhood Watch" to deter criminals. Under that sign, strode the cat that had made Oceanfront Villas his home.
There were other cats in Oceanfront, but none of them matched Meow Meow. He was a mutt when speaking of cats, a mix of tomcat and something else. All the territory holders around the Oceanfront knew his name. He had come to these apartments nearly a year ago, fighting his way into a slice of territory that has now become the whole complex. It was said that Meow Meow knew no fear.
His walk carried a hop every two or three steps. He was in a hurry. Those who would have been called his owners, who Meow Meow called Momma and Daddy, as well as the family's two daughters, were going to the movies tonight. Meow Meow knew if he could get home before Momma and Daddy left then he could get some cat food. The thought of savory salmon quickened his strides.
Now, on this particular night, Meow Meow's rounds took him through a short cut he didn't normally take. A ditch ran along the outskirts of Oceanfront Villas. Meow Meow usually walked along the streets. However, for tonight, the ditch would be the faster route. He jumped gracefully over the small trail of running water at the ditch's center. Landed, and took a second step when a thick voice captured his attention. Peering in the voices direction, Meow Meow could see a rodent lying against a rock. The rodent was a rat, and the rat was asleep.
The voice spoke again and Meow Meow could barely understand the words, "Gather round, vermin. Be silent and gather round!" Meow Meow inched forward to see what was happening.
A large black rat with a notched ear stood atop a partially submerged stone. Around this single figure wandered rats in groups of four and five. At the sound of the black rats voice, the scattered rats came together.
"Hello brothers," the black rat began.
Meow Meow stepped closer, carefully avoiding the sleeping guard. He crouched low and gasped as more rats came out of the shadows. "Whoa," exclaimed Meow Meow. The numbers of rats now visible to the cat were more than a hundred.
"Yes, I said brothers." Continued the black rat. "Brothers, because we all search for the same thing; we all hunt for the same prey; we all are making the same quest!" The black rat raised both hands bringing a rouse of approving murmurs from the gathered vermin. "I have something for you tonight," the black rat continued, "I know of a house in this very suburb with free food. I can lead us to a bounty of food so vast it will feed us all for days to come!"
Meow Meow shrank back into the shadows more. "A bounty of food, where could a hundred rats find so much food?" Meow Meow smiled, a raid was quite the bold move for rats, even if there are a hundred of them.
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