Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Entry #49

Out On A Limb
by J.C. Montgomery


With each gust, I am shaken. Not roughly mind you, but just enough to remind me that my tenuous hold upon this branch grows weaker with each passing hour. I am scared. I want down. Why can no one hear my cries for help?

Below me, children scamper amidst the leaf piles. Their father has worked all morning to gather up the debris, and if the wind were not enough to undo all his hard work, he now has to contend with the possibility of a careless tumble undoing hours of persistent raking. Why can they not hear me?

Usually I am quite fond of my solitude. On any given day you can find me curled up on the couch, or entrenched firmly between king sized pillows, always alone, and always happy. I rarely venture out of my self-imposed cocoon, but today was the first sunny day we’ve had since the last snow. Why did I do it? Why?

I was sitting by the window, warming myself with memories of summer when I saw them. They were sitting on a branch not far from where I am now. It was a whim I could not control. They scattered when they spied me coming, taunting me as they fled. And now, I’m here, alone and unsure of what to do next. What was I thinking? How did I manage?

Someone help me, please. I try to say it loudly, hoping someone can hear.

“Meeoooow!”

Please hear me. Please save me. Please!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Totally did not expect the ending. I'm still smiling. I went from fear for the poor woman to silly cuddly baby-talk sympathy for the cat. A great way to start my morning - thank you!

Unknown said...

This is a delightful and original take. I had a sneaky suspicion I was listening to the words of a cat, after all, what else would get itself stuck up a tree! A lovely read that still has me smiling.

raine said...

Cat owner here, so I knew what it was, lol. But a very good, effective piece. Made me smile. :)

Geraldine said...

My cats gave this story the 'paws up'. Thanks for a smile to start my day!

Geraldine H.

BernardL said...

I was fooled. After so many ghost stories, I was thinking a haunting. :) Well done.

Sarah Hina said...

This was so sweetly clever. I love that the cat is rebuking herself for her whim. And you nicely evoked the division between her and the people.

Very well written, too! I thoroughly enjoyed this one. :)

Rob said...

Somehow I think a cat would be blaming a human instead of itself, even if it was at fault.

Great, unique entry!

Beth said...

I knew it was a cat right from the beginning, but still enjoyed it thoroughly. (I think I knew because an online friend just posted pictures of ... what else? ... her cat stuck in a tree!) lol

rel said...

J.C.
Ah yes, curiosity always lures the now petulant kitty.
Good story telling!
rel

Precie said...

Such a fun and lively story!

Anonymous said...

You've done a nice job with expressing the watchfulness of the cat!

SzélsőFa said...

I'm a dog person, but it was really great! I like how the cat's perceptions are described. A very entertaining piece.

JaneyV said...

I'm scared for her! So imaginative. I love that she's worried about messing up the leaves if she falls.

Made me smile!

wrath999 said...

Very nice twist and very well done

Mary Seawell said...

This felt fresh and original. Meow.

bluesugarpoet said...

Very cute story - thanks for the chuckle!

Anonymous said...

Very inventive! Loved it. The thoughts of the cat were very cool. High marks!

Aine said...

How delightful! I thought it was going to be from the perspective of a leaf, until I got to "curled up on the couch"! I like stories that are written from an unusual perspective. Very entertaining!