#TWO | A Special Gift

As the festive season of giving unfolded, a delightful surprise tiptoed into the quaint little store—a tiny kitten. With his soft black fur glimmering like midnight and sparkling golden eyes full of mischief, he sauntered through the door as if he owned the place. A few buttons, spotting the unexpected visitor, quickly scurried away to hide among the shelves.

“What if he eats us?” exclaimed Uncle Aldin, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. “What if he tears our threads? Or worse… what if he decides to stay here forever, claiming our space? They might even change the name of the store!”

Tawsy, unfazed by Uncle Aldin’s worries, stepped forward with a calming air. “Relax. Breathe. Look, he’s already on the branch!”

At that moment, the kitten meowed and pounced, landing right on Dizzy’s lap.

“Goodness! Are you okay?” Tawsy asked, concern etching her brow.

Dizzy laughed, brushing off her knees with a sense of delight. “Silly cat!” But as she gazed at him, awe washed over her. “He’s so cute!” she squealed, reaching out for a hug, only for the kitten to playfully swat her away.

“He’s mean…” Dizzy pouted, crossing her arms.

“He’s just a cat,” Tawsy said, rolling her eyes with a hint of exasperation.

Dizzy tiptoed closer, her heart fluttering with curiosity. She tentatively reached out to pet him. “He likes me!” she whispered, her voice a blend of excitement and disbelief.

“Be careful, Dizzy. I’ve heard stories… these cats can be fierce,” Uncle Aldin warned, his gaze drifting into the distance.

“Stop scaring her. He’s just a kitten,” Pixi interjected, her voice soothing like a gentle breeze.

“Oh my goodness, Pixi! You have to feel his fur!” Dizzy exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like stars.

That night, the little cat made the store his home.

When the buttons awoke the next morning, Dizzy and Pixi were overjoyed. Their cheerful screams filled the air. “Can you imagine how much fun this will be?” Dizzy exclaimed, her eyes dancing with excitement. “We can finally go to the ocean!”

“How are we going to do that?” Tawsy asked, raising an eyebrow, a smile teasing her lips.

“Well,” Pixi said, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm, “the cat will let us ride on his back, and we’ll see the ocean!” Dizzy and Pixi jumped with glee, hugging tightly as if to capture the moment forever.

Tawsy shook her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Girls, you can’t leave with this cat.”

“Why not?” Dizzy frowned, her excitement dimming.

“Because he won’t come back,” Tawsy replied softly. “Kittens need food and families. We can’t provide that for him.”

Dizzy and Pixi exchanged glances, their smiles faltering. “So, he won’t stay?”

Tawsy nodded, her heart heavy. “I’m sorry, but yes, he will leave.”

And that’s exactly what happened.

In the days that followed, Dizzy and Pixi seemed to lose their sparkle. They didn’t squeal at their crushes or cheer for new arrivals in the store. Aunty Aldin tried to lift their spirits with a small dinner, but the pastries sat untouched.

Worried for her friends, Tawsy waited for the right moment. Then, one sunny Sunday morning, she burst into their room, radiating energy. “Okay! Pixi and Dizzy, get ready! We’re going somewhere!”

“Tawsy, I’m not in the mood,” Dizzy mumbled, pulling her blanket over her head.

“I’m not asking. Get up!” Tawsy said with a determined smile.

Moments later, the girls found themselves at the door, where Tawsy stood, grinning and holding a roll of thread. “What are we doing, Tawsy?” Pixi asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

“We’re going to the ocean!” Tawsy declared, leading the way with an air of adventure. “Stay close! I’ll leave a thread trail so we won’t get lost.”

With no choice but to follow, Dizzy and Pixi soon found themselves giggling and chattering, their spirits lifting with each step.

After a winding path through the sun-dappled woods, they arrived at a sparkling blue ocean. “I know losing that cat was hard,” Tawsy said gently, “but the world is so big, and there are so many cats out there. Eventually, one of them will stay.”

Dizzy and Pixi smiled, their hearts lightening. They hugged Tawsy tightly, feeling the warmth of friendship surround them.

Together, they leaped into the ocean only to realise it was just a puddle—splashing, laughing, and delighting in the moment. They realized that even if the kitten was gone, their adventures were only just beginning. And sometimes, the magic of a new day was all they truly needed.