З життя
The Little Gray Cat Sat by the Vet Clinic Door, Crying… With a Tiny Kitten Lying at Her Feet
A small grey cat sat by the door of the veterinary clinic, mewing softly. At its feet lay a tiny kitten, frail and barely moving
A woman strolled calmly down the street, a small dog trotting beside her on a lead. It was a bright autumn daythe air crisp and clear, golden and crimson leaves swirling as if dancing to an invisible orchestras tune. The mood was light and cheerful. Until suddenly
Something caught her attentionimpossible to ignore. The grey cat sat by the clinic entrance, crying pitifully, its tiny kitten curled weakly beside it. Every now and then, the cat darted toward passersby, as if pleading for help. It yowled, begged, demandedyet people only quickened their steps.
Everyone rushed about their business, either not noticing or pretending not to see the fragile creature on the pavement. How often it happens: its easier to walk past a strangers suffering. But the woman stopped.
She knelt and gently picked up the kitten. It was so thin its ribs pressed sharply against its skin, its breaths shallow. A single thought flashed through her mind: *What do I do? Where do I go?* Then the mother cat stepped closer, locking eyes with her, mewing softly but insistently. *Help save them*
A note hung on the door:
*”No appointments today. Closed for the bank holiday.”*
The woman hesitated. A taxi? Money? Where could she go? But yielding to instinct, she pushed the door. And suddenlya miracleit swung open.
At the end of the hallway stood a tall, silver-haired man in a worn white coat.
*”Please!”* she called. *”Help! Ive no money now, but Ill pay later. Theyll die if”* She held out the frail kitten.
The vet took it carefully and hurried into the operating room. The woman and the mother cat waited in the corridor, trembling with nerves. After a few minutes, she noticed strange bumps beneath the mans coat, near his shoulders. *”Goodness, poor mana hunchback?”* she thought.
*”Do you think so?”* he asked suddenly, meeting her gaze before turning back to the kitten.
Hours passed. The kittens breathing steadied.
*”There now,”* said the vet. *”Theyll live. But theyll need care, medicine, warmth. They cant go back outside”* His eyes flicked to her. The mother cat stared intently too.
*”Of course Ill take them home!”* the woman protested. *”Both of them. Moses here”* she nodded at her calm little dog*”will welcome them into our family.”*
The vet smiled.
*”Then Ill give you all theyll need. No charge. Consider it already paid.”*
She blinked at being called *”miss”*those days were long pastbut there was no time to dwell. She took the medicine, the kitten, and set off home, her faithful dog and the cat trailing behind.
A month later, she gathered her courage and called the clinic to thank the vet.
*”Hello, Dr. Whitmore speaking,”* answered a cheerful young voice.
She recounted the rescued kittens story and thanked him. But the vet sounded puzzled. After checking his records, he said,
*”Im sorry, but I dont recall you. It was a bank holidayI was away with family. You mustve mistaken me, but it doesnt matter. The kitten lived, and found a home.”*
Baffled, she sank into a chair. Just then, the once-frail kittennow plump and belovedleapt into her lap. Nearby, the mother cat watched her intently.
Then *He* appeared. The old coat no longer hid the white wings beneath. The Angel smiled.
*”You saved them yourself,”* he told her. *”I only helped a little.”*
The cat gazed at the Angel and began to purr.
*”I dont usually help humans,”* he said, as if apologising. *”But you cats are so persistent Fine, Ill break the rules one last time.”*
He winked at the catthen vanished into the air. At that moment, the doorbell rang.
A clumsy man stood there in worn overalls, clutching a toolbox.
*”You called? The taps dripping?”*
*”No, I didnt,”* she said, then smiled. *”But since youre here, could you check the bathroom too? Ill pay.”*
*”Getting everything mixed up again”* he muttered, stepping inside. Kneeling, he unpacked his tools.
Silently, she brought a thick cushion and slid it beneath his knees.
*”Ta,”* he said softly, then suddenly smiled. His tired, stubbled face transformedsomething tender and almost childlike shining through. Her heart ached unexpectedly. She pitied this man, so clearly lost and lonely.
*”Would you would you like some hot stew? Theres shepherds pie too”* The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
*”Shepherds pie”* he breathed. *”Blimey, its been ages”* He looked up, sheepish but hopeful.
*”Right then, wait there!”* Flushing, she rushed to the kitchen, bustling as if this were the most important task in the world.
Meanwhile, the repairmanthough trying to focuskept sniffing the air. The house filled with the aroma of roasting meat and fresh broth. To pass the time, he switched on an old cassette player, and Vivaldis *”Four Seasons”* filled the room.
The woman froze in the doorway.
*”This cant be Its impossible”* she whispered.
But it *was* happening. Right here, right now.
A month later, the town square saw a couple strollingthe woman and that same repairman, now dapper in a new suit. His eyes shone with happiness and peace, the calm every soul yearns for.
Nearby, the Angel sat beside the mother cat, grumbling:
*”You cats are impossible. Nothings ever enough. Whatever I do, its wrong. What more do you want?”*
The cat paced, its demanding gaze unwavering.
*”Dont even start begging!”* the Angel huffed. *”Ive already broken every rule. No more.”*
He paused, met the cats eyes, then sighed:
*”Fine. Have it your way. God bless.”*
By a lottery stand, a beggar sattattered, lost in thought. But as the couple approached, he perked up.
*”Spare a bit for Gods sake? Im ever so hungry”* He held out his hand.
The man reached for his wallet, but the woman gently stopped him. She opened her purse and pressed a note into the beggars palm.
*”Miss,”* he said suddenly. *”I cant just take it. Let me give you this.”* He held out a lottery ticket.
She startled. His voice seemed oddly familiar. And beneath his coatwere those faint bumps on his shoulders? No, surely not
*”The fifteenth,”* he pressed urgently, gripping her hand. *”Check it on the fifteenth. Or Ill be cross.”*
*”Alright, I will,”* she promised, tucking the ticket into her bag.
The fifteenth arrived. She raced around the square, stopping strangers desperately: *”Have you seen the beggar by the stand?”* Tears welled as her husband held her.
*”Well find him. Well turn this town upside down.”*
They walked away, hand in hand.
Meanwhile, the Angel sat in his usual café, the old jacket barely hiding the wings beneath. Across from him, a large black cat listened intently.
He sipped his tea, nibbled a scone, and mused:
*”You know, Ive always loved Bachs fourth sonataVikingur Ólafssons version. Like raindrops ringing as they fall”*
As if to prove it, he waved a handand beside them, a tree shimmered into being, drenched in a summer shower. Transparent drops chimed against leaves, cascading down like liquid rainbows.
The cat watched, mesmerised.
At home, the mother cat purred as she groomed her now-grown kitten. Moses lay nearby, eyes closed in bliss. From somewhere deep, music swelledas if every purr harmonised with the shimmering notes of the summer rain.
