A little disabled boy finds a special little furry friend.
The boy smiled when the kitten he called "Jingle Bells" had leapt up onto his lap. The kitten turned around once or twice, then settled in on the little boy's lap, instantly dissolving into purrs that caused his entire little body to vibrate.
The boy's smile grew bigger when he could feel the purrs enamating from the contented little kitten.
He wheeled himself back to where he lived, in a rundown tenement housing development in the middle of the city. He wheeled himself to his apartment, where his mother opened the door.
"Why, Packy!" she exclaimed when she saw her son, "Where on God's green earth have you been? I've been worried sick; I was afraid something happened to you!"
"I've been wheeling around the block, Mama", the little boy said. "Look! Lookit the kitty I found! Isn't he cute? I named him 'Jingle Bells', 'counta' the little collar he's got around his neck! He's so friendly!"
"Packy, how many times have I told you? We can't have pets here! If the landlord sees the kitten, we're going to get thrown out of here! We can't afford to get into trouble!"
Packy's small face fell at the news; his bottom lip quivered, and his eyes filled with tears. He didn't want to see the forlorn little kitten thrown out in the snow and cold. He wanted to keep the kitten, keep it in a nice, safe, warm place where he could be safe and happy.
"But Mama, he won't eat much! I can take care of him! I can!" Packy exclaimed. "I can hide him in my closet; the landlord wouldn't even know we had him if I hided him real good!"
"Honey, I know you want to take care of this 'Jingle Bells', but honey, we can't have pets. It's the rules", Packy's mother said, trying to reason with her son. "We are going to have to give him to someone who can give him a good home. We can't. I'm sorry."
"Well, if you decided you didn't want me anymore, would you give me away?" Packy whined, his voice rising, tears falling from his eyes.
"Oh, darling, of course I wouldn't! You're my pride and joy, son, my shining pride and joy!" Packy's mother replied, tears filling her own eyes at her son's desperate answer.
"You sure?" Packy sniffled, wiping his snotty nose with the back of one dirty hand.
"You bet I'm sure! You're my little man, Packy! I love you too much! You can do anything you set your mind to; that includes taking care of little kittens!"
"So, can we keep him? I want to be his friend so much! I really do!" Packy insisted, tears instantly drying up.
Packy's mother sighed. There was no reasoning with that boy, she thought to herself. He's just like his father: stubborn, not easy to convince, no matter how much the facts have been given. She wished in her heart of hearts that she could make him happy by letting him keep little "Jingle Bells", but so far, it looked like "Jingle Bells" would have to go elsewhere, or else they would face the possibility of being evicted.
Who of us hasn't been through these trials and tribulations with a mom or dad? It seems as if the world is ending when you're the kid and have the pet right there in your arms! Who's gonna be so cruel to take it out of your arms? Cruel rules too! 20 years ago they started those complexes in Florida with prohibitions against kids! Cat yes, but no kid. Krazy world.
Reviewed by d. k
12/14/2007
A heart warming story that opens the eyes to those who have hearts for children, their wishes and of course for the little kitten purring away so innocently. He is oblivious to what his future holds, he's warm in the lap of a loving child. What does this tell us about humanity? Where did we go wrong? Why does it have to be this way. I'm definitely an animal lover and very passionate about children and the less fortunate. When one dictates how a person must live, freedom is stolen from them......oops, best get off me soap box! Well done my friend!
Oooo... the real traumas and dichotomys of life. Hard lessons to give and receive, Karen, but compassionately delivered. Where there's a will, there's a way... I look forward to reading more of Packy and Jingle B's adventures... Sounds a bit like The Incredible Journey! :)) Love, Kate xx
Little children can shatter our heart when they become sick, but little children can't take care of anything living that's as little as they are, and in need of special care and nurture.
Then again, we can fool them telling that they do take care, we are going to extend our love just a little more.
Georg
Sad story indeed and a difficult quandry...if she lets the boy keep the kitten then she will be condoning him breaking rules plus risking losing the roof over there heads but if she makes him get rid of the kitten then she will break his heart...will be looking to see how you resolve this one dear Karen.
hugs
Fee
oh no Jingle Bells needs to stay, cats don't make too much noise. A very nice story, a boy is happy now and a kitty found a home so lets keep both happy. They need to hide that kitty. Great write.
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