Efem finds The CAT... or is it that The CAT chooses Efem???

​Efem, using her mind-talk, distractedly told the Dusty Mytes "Goodbye!" as they left to go off somewhere.  She was getting a little concerned.  Her sister, Cornelia, still had not told her whether or not The CAT had shown up at her cottage.  “Oh, where could that cat be and what mischief is he getting into this time?” she thought to herself.  “I know I shouldn't worry," she continued to tell herself.  "He will probably show up when he’s hungry,” this time saying it out loud.  When she realized that she was talking to herself, she knew that it was because of The CAT.  “Look at what you got me doing now.  I don’t normally talk to myself…”  Then she giggled and continued, “As long as I don’t answer myself I guess that will be okay.”

​Just then she saw something flicker over by the ferns under a tall golden willow tree.  It was The CAT.  “At least you are not out causing mischief,” she said as she watched him saunter over to her.  Efem reached down and scratched him behind the ears.  As soon as he started purring she lit up!  When Efem was truly happy it was hard to keep all that happiness inside and she began to glow!

Staring at Efem the whole time, The CAT stretched and then sat down - waiting.  “I know that look," Efem sighed with a slightly crooked smile. 

​“You are hungry I bet.”  The CAT slightly nodded his head. “Sometimes I think you understand what I am saying, but then you go and do just the opposite.  Sometimes you act just like one of those mundane cats, but only I know how special you truly are,” whispered Efem - glowing a little brighter now.

​Efem’s tree grove is a special place which is why The CAT liked it here so much.  

Efem grew catnip (only the premium kind), ferns to play hide and seek in, and a tree stump with just the right shape for a comfortable cat-bed.  He did like looking down on his domain from his bed.  Efem touched the stump and magically his favorite cat pillow appeared along with a special crème ala cream bowl of milk.  ​“She is the best pet I ever had,” thought The CAT as he started eating.  Soon he was full and contented. 

Now this CAT was ornery, stubborn, mischievous, and sometime wickedly playful, but his worst vice was that he liked to listen to gossip.  The birds were the best gossipers in the realm and he spent hours sitting in trees listening to the Twitter Line (while also waiting for a meal to get too close).  Today’s gossip was too good to hold in though and he decided he had to tell someone.  Noticing Efem looking at the young saplings in the grove, he sauntered up to her legs and started rubbing himself against her.  Using mind-talk he told her “Hungry soon.”  Before Efem realized it was The CAT talking, she answered “I already fed you.”  When she realized it was The CAT, she gasped.  Never had The CAT spoke to her.

​​“I’m not talking about being hungry.  Hungry the Wish Dragon will be here soon.  You can pick me up and pet me now if you would like and I will tell you the gossip about him,” The CAT replied.

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​To read about Hungry the Wish Dragon, click here.