The fruit vendor opened the box, revealing a tiny face peeking out. The kitten’s large, frightened eyes seemed ready to spill over like teardrops at any moment.
“She’s not eating at all. Probably torn from her mother and abandoned,” he explained, noticing the matted fur, “Her coat’s all stuck together; must’ve been living in a plum crate.”
The customer walked away silently, leaving the man shaking his head in sorrow, “Even women have lost their compassion.” But soon, she returned. “I can’t stop thinking about your kitten,” she said, handing over a cloth.
“Wrap her up for me, please.”
“You’re taking her?” the vendor asked joyfully. He carefully swaddled the kitten and passed her to the woman, treating her as gently as if handing over a child.
“It’s kind of you, truly. You’ll be repaid,” he kept repeating.
The woman smiled wryly, “Well, we’ll see how kind this act is. Not sure how my husband will react to this ‘gift.’ We might both end up on the street.”
And she was spot on. The kitten wasn’t a hit at home. Despite being washed, brushed, and fed, she still looked pitiful and scruffy.
“What is this strange creature?” her husband grimaced as the kitten tried to climb onto his leg. The suspicious scratch of tiny claws distracted them from their TV show. The new, expensive wallpaper was at risk.
“Do we have a mouse problem I don’t know about? Why do we need it in our one-bedroom flat?” he chided his wife.
Holding the kitten by the scruff, he looked at the helpless creature with a mix of bewilderment and disdain, “Make sure it’s gone by tomorrow.”
Valerie was already regretting her decision. But the kitten’s tear-filled eyes looked up at her, tiny paws kneading her leg, and the feeble purr it emitted warmed her heart with a trickle of pity. Leaning down, she petted the little thing.
Encouraged by her affection, the kitten climbed into her arms, nestling its nose into her warm palm. “No kindness goes unrewarded,” Valerie remembered her mother’s words and felt at peace with her decision.
The phone rang, “Gran, come over for tea!”
As discreetly as she could, so as not to disturb her husband’s TV viewing, Valerie slipped out the door. Her son lived just across the street. Kate was already outside their home, waving happily.
Suddenly, a large black car veered onto the pavement. The child was flung into the air. Valerie froze, unable to scream or move. Her eyes, like a slow-motion camera, absorbed every frame: a woman lifted the girl, and small hands clung desperately to her neck. She was alive!
A swaying man stepped out of the car. Drunk. Valerie’s son rushed over. In uniform.
With shaking hands, he tried to draw his weapon, but was halted by her shout, “No!!!”
Though she was across the street, it felt as though she was pushing him back with her outstretched hands.
People gathered, blocked his way, and led the intoxicated driver off. Valerie felt disconnected from her legs. But she kept going… or was she being carried? To Kate! A doctor was already examining her, checking every bone.
“She’s fine. No breaks. Just a few bruises,” he informed.
“But why isn’t she speaking?!” Valerie’s daughter-in-law trembled.
“Just scared. Needs a distraction,” the doctor suggested.
“I’ll be right back.”
Valerie dashed home. Bursting through the door, she grabbed the kitten, explaining the situation to her husband as she ran back out. She made it in time. The ambulance was still there. Fear lingered in Kate’s eyes. Gently, Valerie placed the kitten into her little hands. Kate’s fingers twitched and stroked its soft fur. In return, the gentle “Purr-purr-purr” rose from the kitten. “Whiskers,” the girl whispered. The doctor sighed in relief. Valerie let her tears flow — now she could.
Kate clung to the kitten, refusing to let go. They spent the night in the hospital. By morning, they were discharged with the conclusion: “The girl’s incredibly lucky.”
“Kindness returned,” Valerie murmured.
