“Oh, You Drive Me Mad!… I Eat Wrong, I Dress Wrong, I Do Everything Wrong!”—Pavel’s Voice Broke Into a Shout. “You Can’t Do Anything Right!… Can’t Even Earn a Decent Living… And You’re No Help Around the House, Ever!”—Marina Sobbed, “…And There Are No Children…” She Whispered. Belka, the Ten-Year-Old Ginger-and-White Cat, Watched Silently from Atop the Cupboard as Another Family “Tragedy” Unfolded. She Knew, Even Felt, That Mum and Dad Loved Each Other Dearly—So Why Say Such Hurtful Things? Mum Ran Off Crying, Dad Chain-Smoked by the Window, and Belka Thought to Herself: “What This Home Needs Is Happiness, And Happiness Means Kids… Somehow, We Need to Find Children…” Belka Herself Couldn’t Have Kittens—She’d Been Neutered Long Ago. As for Mum, The Doctors Said It Was Possible, But Something Never Quite Worked Out… The Next Morning, After Mum and Dad Left for Work, Belka Squeezed Out the Window and Went to See Her Neighbour, Whiskers, for Advice. “Why On Earth Would You Want Kids?” Sniffed Whiskers. “Ours Always Come Over—Hide From Them If You Can! They Smear My Muzzle With Lipstick Or Squeeze Me ‘Til I Can’t Breathe!” Belka Sighed, “We Need Proper Children… But Where On Earth Do We Get Them?” “Well… That Stray Molly on the Street Just Had Five… Take Your Pick…” Whiskers Shrugged. On Her Own Daring, Belka Tiptoed Balcony to Balcony Down to the Street, Squeezed Through The Bars of a Basement Window, and Called Out, “Molly, Could You Come Here for Just a Moment?” From Deep Within the Cellar Came the Desperate Squeaking of Kittens. Belka Cautiously Approached. Underneath the Heater, Five Blind, Mismatched Kittens Searched The Air, Wailing Hungrily. Molly Hadn’t Been There for At Least Three Days. The Babies Were Starving… Feeling She Might Cry, Belka Carefully Carried Each Kitten to the Entrance of Her Building. Lying Beside the Screeching, Hungry Bunch, She Waited Anxiously for Mum and Dad to Come Home. When Pavel and Marina Returned from Work, They Were Astonished—There Was Belka, Never Before Out Alone, Being Nursed by Five Noisy Kittens. “How on Earth Did This Happen?” Pavel Stammered. “It’s a Miracle…” Whispered Marina. They Scooped Up Belka and the Kittens and Rushed Inside. As Pavel Watched Their Purring Cat in a Box Full of Babies, He Asked, “So… What Are We Going To Do With Them?” “I’ll Hand-Feed Them… When They’re Grown, We’ll Find Them Homes… I’ll Call My Friends,” Whispered Marina. Three Months Later, Still Stunned By The Miracle, Marina Sat Stroking Her Feline Clan, Repeating to Herself, “This Can’t Be Real… This Can’t Happen…” And Soon After, She and Pavel Wept for Joy, Laughing and Embracing, “I’m So Glad We Finished Building This House!” “Yes! Perfect for a Child to Play Outside!” “And the Kittens Can All Run Around!” “There’s Room for Everyone!” “I Love You!” “Oh, I Love You Even More!” Wise Old Belka Wiped Away a Tear—Life Was Finally Coming Together…

Im so fed up with you! Nothing I do is right for you! The way I eat, what I wearits all wrong! I shouted, my voice breaking at the end.

You cant do anything right! You barely earn any proper money, and youre hopeless when it comes to helping around the house! Emma sobbed, her frustration spilling over. And we dont have children she whispered, almost inaudibly.

Our cat, Claraa ten-year-old white and ginger tabbysat perched quietly atop the wardrobe, watching the latest family crisis unfold below. She somehow knew, perhaps sensed, that Mum and Dad really did love each other, perhaps even a bit too much. So it puzzled her immensely why theyd hurl such hurtful words, words that just made everyone miserable.

Weeping, Mum ran off to the bedroom, while Dad started chain-smoking in the living room.

Clara, witnessing our family come apart at the seams, slipped into deep thought: This house needs happinessand happiness means children perhaps, somehow, that’s whats needed here

Clara, of course, couldnt have kittens herself; she’d been spayed long ago. And Mumwell, the doctors said it was possible, but somehow things never worked out

The next morning, once wed both left for work, Clara took the bold step for the first time in her lifewhat an adventure for a house cat!of squeezing out the sash window and popping round next door to chat with her friend, Paws.

Why on earth would you want children? Paws huffed. Our lot bring theirs around and I run for cover. I end up with lipstick smeared on my whiskers or being squeezed so tight I cant even breathe!

But we just want normal children the good kind Clara sighed. If only I could figure out where to find them

Hang on that stray outside, Molly, shes had another litter five of them Paws mused after a moment. Take your pick, honestly

Taking her chances, Clara hopped from one balcony to another, finally making it down to the pavement. Quivering with nerves, she squeezed through the bars of a basement window and called softly,

Molly, could you come out for a moment? Please

Tiny cries echoed from the darkness below.

Edge by edge, Clara crept towards a cluster of five blind, squirming kittens huddled together under a radiator, rooting around and squeaking for their mum. Clara sniffed each onethey were hungry, abandoned for at least three days

Near tears, Clara gently but firmly carried each kitten, one by one, up to our flats front step.

Determined to keep the little hungry mob together, Clara lay beside them on the doorstep, her eyes scanning the edge of the green in hopes that Mum and Dad would soon return from work.

When we did finally approach the house, silent and exhausted, Emma and I just stopped in disbelief on the stepsthere was Clara, who had never been out alone before, protectively surrounded by five tiny, mewling kittens trying desperately to suckle.

What on earth? I stammered.

Its a miracle Emma replied, wonder tinging her voice. Scooping up Clara and the kittens, we dashed inside.

As we settled Clarapurring contentedly with her broodinto a box lined with towels, I turned to Emma and asked,

What do we do now?

Ill bottle-feed them for now, Emma whispered. When theyre bigger, well find homes for them. Ill ring the girls, see who can help

Three months passed. Emma would sit stroking our little pride of kittens, still lost in disbelief, quietly repeating This just cant be real this just cant be real

Then, one bright morning, Emma and I found ourselves both in tearsbut these were happy tears. I scooped her into my arms, spinning her around, and the words tumbled out in a joyful rush:

I didnt build this house for nothing!

Its perfect for a child to grow up in the fresh air!

And the kittens can play in the garden, too!

Therell be room for everyone!

I love you!

And I adore you!

Our wise Clara brushed away a single tearand just like that, it felt as though life was coming back together again.