The Lady Who Flew Away

by Mewsette

Sit down, my kittens, and listen. I want to tell you about my lady. It's time you knew about her. Her name is Amelia, and do you know what she does? She flies in airplanes! Those great silver birds way up in the sky. My lady makes them fly! Yes, I know you never saw her. She went away before you were born, and she has not come home yet. She didn't even know I was going to have you kittens! But she took care of me since I was littler than you are. She put that old blanket in the shed for me. Sometimes she used to give me a saucer of milk or a piece of fish to eat. It's been a long time since I had any fish. But it's a good thing there's plenty of prey around here, isn't it? Sit down, Bootsie. I'm not through. My lady loves me, I know she does. She wears trousers, just like the men you see around here, but her voice is softer and she takes time to pet me and talk to me. She says I'm a very good mouser, just like I've taught you to be. So I want you to know that she will love you, too, when she comes home, as long as you are good mousers and well behaved, like me. She gave me the fine name I have, Cleopatra. She goes away and she flies in the big airplanes, but she always comes back to me. Sit down, Skipper. I'm not through yet. Where is she now? Well, she flew away. She told me she was gonna fly to someplace very important that would take a long time. I just didn't know how long. And now, you know, there is a lot of trouble in the big world. I heard about it on the radio when the window was open. I'm not sure why, and I think the trouble is far, far away. But I want you to remember this. If trouble comes to us, like loud noises and explosions, things you never saw, and if I'm not here any more to guide you, I want you to stay right here at home. Hide in the cupboards in the shed until it stops, and don't be afraid. Because my lady will come back, and everything will be all right. Sit down, Callie. Your mama is still talking. Remember this, too. Some humans are not kind and don't have much use for us cats. But some are like my lady, with gentle hands and soft voices and saucers of milk. You'll know, if you ever see another one like her. Most ladies stay home all the time, you will find. It's only mine that flew away. All right, your mama is tired. You can all go out and play in the sunshine now. I'll be here in the shed on my blanket if you want me. No, I will just stay here and wait, Skipper. So my lady can find me when she comes home.