carmella
5th May 2005, 01:29 AM
My writers group is putting out a booklet next Fall titled "Once upon a Time". We are all writing pieces for it. I don't usually write fiction; however, I tried this time. It turned into a sort of children's story. I will admit it is based on my son's little cat. The only suggestion I'm looking for here is a title for the story. Nothing I've tried works. I usually have the title in mind even before I write. Please don't spend your time correcting mistakes in spelling, grammar etc. It's my second draft, and I will be taking it to the guild meeting for that. I need your creative minds for the title. Thank you for any help
Once upon a time, in a time before memory, there were creatures who talked, dreamed and walked the earth on two legs or four. Some possessed the ability to change at will and moved among the world of humans who had no fear of them. Once upon a time when all things were simply accepted, there was peace and prosperity in all the lands.
As we know, time changes all and among both human and cat changelings there were those who were dark, selfish and cruel. So most of the soft, furry, four footed ones retreated below the earth through dark passages into bright meadows where they could run without fear, lie on their backs in the sun, and hunt at will for food.
However, a few of the creatures decided not to retreat through the passages, staying either as a four-foot or two-foot joining whichever group they chose. Most humans lost the ability to converse with them mistrusting those who stayed behind knowing, somehow, the cats understood them. Over the centuries though an understanding remained between the changeling groups; an understanding not understood by those fully human or fully cat. Time drifted on, tale turning into legend and the Celtic Cat disappeared into story.
At times those from the two groups would look into each others eyes, connect, and understand-but never tell. So it was when The Visitor opened her home to the ones called “The Ladies”. They quietly lived and communicated in harmony. Secrets kept.
Across the waters lived the ones The Visitor loved. She often traveled there concerned because they had not inherited the treasured ability. Their cat was just that, a cat. Then one day a small black kitten arrived on their doorstep. She was lost, hungry and very vocal. At first the couple resisted. The tiny black one refused to leave and being good at heart and a descendant of the creatures themselves, they put out food and drink.
As far as the couple was concerned, the kitten was not very smart; however, she was very stubborn. Whenever possible, she snuck into the warm house and curled up into a small furry ball somewhere out of the way. Eventually, they gave in and the little kitten became part of the home growing into a small cat, who did not seem very intelligent. She was loving and gentle.
The visitor often came. Little black cat would cuddle near, sit in her lap, sleep by her side. Sadly as often as The Visitor tried to communicate or look into the cats eyes the small one did not respond. Returning home, The Visitor reported to The Ladies. “No, they still have no one to protect them.”
They were all sad. Nevertheless, life went on and was good.
In time the couple had a young one who grew and changed until he could walk. The Visitor came more often now and was pleased that the little black cat was so patient and loving with the human child. One day The Visitor noticed the boy look deep into the eyes of the little black cat who looked right back The Visitor gasped as the little black cat rubbed her head on the boys leg and jumped into her lap. The Black One then purred and said softly, “Don’t worry. I am here. I knew; so I came.”
When The Visitor arrived home, she sat in her chair with The Ladies, one on the arm, one in her lap. She smiled, “Don’t worry anymore. They are safe. That is why Little Black One came.” The Ladies smiled with a purr.
And all was well.
Once upon a time, in a time before memory, there were creatures who talked, dreamed and walked the earth on two legs or four. Some possessed the ability to change at will and moved among the world of humans who had no fear of them. Once upon a time when all things were simply accepted, there was peace and prosperity in all the lands.
As we know, time changes all and among both human and cat changelings there were those who were dark, selfish and cruel. So most of the soft, furry, four footed ones retreated below the earth through dark passages into bright meadows where they could run without fear, lie on their backs in the sun, and hunt at will for food.
However, a few of the creatures decided not to retreat through the passages, staying either as a four-foot or two-foot joining whichever group they chose. Most humans lost the ability to converse with them mistrusting those who stayed behind knowing, somehow, the cats understood them. Over the centuries though an understanding remained between the changeling groups; an understanding not understood by those fully human or fully cat. Time drifted on, tale turning into legend and the Celtic Cat disappeared into story.
At times those from the two groups would look into each others eyes, connect, and understand-but never tell. So it was when The Visitor opened her home to the ones called “The Ladies”. They quietly lived and communicated in harmony. Secrets kept.
Across the waters lived the ones The Visitor loved. She often traveled there concerned because they had not inherited the treasured ability. Their cat was just that, a cat. Then one day a small black kitten arrived on their doorstep. She was lost, hungry and very vocal. At first the couple resisted. The tiny black one refused to leave and being good at heart and a descendant of the creatures themselves, they put out food and drink.
As far as the couple was concerned, the kitten was not very smart; however, she was very stubborn. Whenever possible, she snuck into the warm house and curled up into a small furry ball somewhere out of the way. Eventually, they gave in and the little kitten became part of the home growing into a small cat, who did not seem very intelligent. She was loving and gentle.
The visitor often came. Little black cat would cuddle near, sit in her lap, sleep by her side. Sadly as often as The Visitor tried to communicate or look into the cats eyes the small one did not respond. Returning home, The Visitor reported to The Ladies. “No, they still have no one to protect them.”
They were all sad. Nevertheless, life went on and was good.
In time the couple had a young one who grew and changed until he could walk. The Visitor came more often now and was pleased that the little black cat was so patient and loving with the human child. One day The Visitor noticed the boy look deep into the eyes of the little black cat who looked right back The Visitor gasped as the little black cat rubbed her head on the boys leg and jumped into her lap. The Black One then purred and said softly, “Don’t worry. I am here. I knew; so I came.”
When The Visitor arrived home, she sat in her chair with The Ladies, one on the arm, one in her lap. She smiled, “Don’t worry anymore. They are safe. That is why Little Black One came.” The Ladies smiled with a purr.
And all was well.