If Cats Could Talk - Thanksgiving Day
"Is everybody ready?"
asked an anxious Cruiser to the group of cats. "Okay, I'll get their attention and then all of you come in. Got it?"
Just
as the carved turkey was placed on the table with family members gathered around, Cruiser gave a loud, "AHEM! Can I please
have your attention! HEY! Everybody! Can you please quiet down for just a moment?" There were a few lingering words
from some of the grandkids but the adults soon shushed them because of the odd request from a cat to quiet down. "Thank
you. We appreciate that. Before you begin eating, we'd like to say something, if you don't mind, and we'd like the oldest
member of our cat family to begin with a few words."
The other four cats paraded in behind Cruiser and then Barney
stepped forward. There was near silence now as all the humans beheld this unusual spectacle of the five cats demanding
attention, particularly just before eating dinner. Barney paused, looked around at the many humans gathered and then
put his paw up in the air to signal for total silence.
"Thank you for your attention," he began. "I'm not used to
public speaking and I'm a little nervous but, can you all hear me?" Several nodded their assents and a few murmured yes.
When quiet descended once more, Barney continued. "We, the five cats in this family have often enjoyed participating
in an evening meal as you offered us a scrap of food from your plates. We hope you'll offer us some of that turkey and
delicious smelling ham that rests so delightfully upon the table."
"Is that what this is all about?" whispered one
of the grandkids. "The cats want some turkey and ham?"
Cruiser looked cross at the whispering child and said, "SHUSH!
Let Barney speak. He has a lot more to say."
"Thanks, Cruiser," said Barney who looked around as though trying
to think of words that may have been memorized and momentarily interrupted. "But we are not gathered here to beg for food.
We are here to join you in this happy Thanksgiving holiday and tell you that we are thankful for all the wonderful things
you have given us throughout the year. Dolly, ladies go first. Would you like to speak?"
Dolly stepped forward,
eyed the turkey freshly sliced on the table, and then said, "We are thankful for the delicious breakfasts we receive every
morning from our beloved Breakfast Lady." She stepped back after that short speech and sat down.
Willie lumbered
forward and in a soft voice he said, "We are thankful for the attention you have given to our health when we were given
medicine and shots to make us feel good. We didn't like those awful needles," he admitted with a sly grin, "but we know
you did it for our own good."
Casey jumped up and said, "Yeah, and we are thankful for all the toys like those
little gray mice, and the balls, and the string, and all those things we play with. Thanks." And for the first time in
his life, Casey looked shy and nervous as he finished his part.
Cruiser forced himself into the center of the room
and said, "We are thankful for the wonderful home you have provided or us. For the chairs, and beds and couches that
we can sleep on. And for the clean litterboxes. It means a lot to us."
Barney silenced the murmurs that went through
the gathered guests by raising his paw once again. "Most of all, we are thankful to Susu and the Candy Man for the love
they have given each and every one of us. You may never know what that love means to a cat, but let me tell you that
you are the most important thing in our life. Without you, and your love, our lives are meaningless."
Barney paused
to gather his thoughts and then concluded, "So on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day we want you to know how thankful and
blessed we are to live here with you. May we all enjoy many more Thanksgiving Holidays together. Thank you"
The
cats filed back into the bedroom where they gathered around Barney to congratulate him on delivering his little speech.
The
humans were stunned by the speeches from each of the cats and finally Susu said for all to hear, "Let us all take to heart
what the cats have said and be truly thankful for all that we have received throughout the year. And as Barney said,
let us be thankful for all the love that we have received."
A chorus of "Amens" greeted that and in a moment everybody
was seated and the Thanksgiving meal began. "Rusty," Susu said in a whisper, "I'll put a nice plate of turkey and ham
aside for the cats. I think they ought to share some of this good food."
May you all enjoy a very Happy Thanksgiving
Day.
Author Rusty Peacock
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