The fruit vendor opened the box, and a little face peeked out. Its enormous frightened eyes looked as though they might spill over with tears at any moment.
“She won’t eat a thing, likely been torn from her mother and tossed aside. Her fur’s all matted, probably from living in an old crate,” the vendor remarked.
The customer walked away without a word. The man shook his head sadly: “Even women have lost their compassion.” But shortly after, she returned.
“I can’t get that kitten out of my mind,” she said, extending a cloth. “Wrap it up for me.”
“You’ll take her?” the vendor beamed, gently swaddling the kitten and handing it to her like a precious gift.
“It’s a kind gesture, a kind gesture. You’ll be rewarded,” he repeated. The woman chuckled indulgently, “Found yourself the wrong savior. I’m not sure how my husband will take this ‘gift’. We might both end up out on the street.”
And she was spot on. The kitten didn’t fit in at home. Although clean, fed, and tidied, it still looked forlorn and unappealing.
“What’s this creature?” the husband sneered, pushing the kitten aside as it tried to climb his leg. The scratching of tiny claws distracted them from the TV show. Their new, expensive wallpaper was at risk.
“Do we have a mouse problem?” her husband chided. “Why do we need this in our small flat?”
Grabbing the kitten by the scruff, the husband looked at the helpless creature dangling in his hands with confusion and disdain.
“It better be gone by morning.”
Valerie was already regretting her soft-hearted decision. But the kitten’s teary eyes gazed up at her, its tiny paws kneaded her leg, and its skinny body purred so warmly that a stream of pity flowed in her heart. She bent down to stroke it.
Encouraged by her kindness, the kitten climbed into her arms, nuzzling its tiny nose into her warm hand. “No act of mercy goes unrewarded,” Valerie recalled her mother’s words, and these reassured her.
The phone rang: “Grandma, come over for tea!”
Quietly, so as not to disturb her husband’s show, Valerie slipped out the door. Her son lived just across the street. Katie was already by their house, excitedly waving. Suddenly, a large black car swerved onto the curb. It tossed her small body upwards. Valerie froze, unable to scream or move.
Her eyes alone, as if in slow-motion, captured each frame: a woman rushed to pick up the girl. In her arms, Katie’s little hands tightly clutched the woman’s neck. Alive! The driver staggered out of the car, drunk. Her son was running toward him in uniform, trembling hands trying to draw his weapon, when a voice rang out that made him stop in his tracks:
“No!!!”
Valerie stood across the road, appearing to her son as if she were pushing him back with her outstretched arms.
People gathered, blocking his way, and led the drunken driver away. Valerie’s legs felt numb, yet she moved, maybe carried along. To Katie! The doctor was already examining her, feeling each bone:
“Everything’s fine. No fractures. Just some bruises.”
“But why won’t she speak?!” her daughter-in-law shook with fear.
“She’s scared. She needs a distraction,” the doctor suggested.
“Yes, I’ll be back in a moment.”
Valerie rushed home, grabbed the kitten, narrating the incident to her husband as she hurried. She made it back in time; the ambulance hadn’t left. Fear swam in Katie’s eyes. Valerie gently pried her hands open and placed the kitten in them. Katie shifted her gaze. Her fingers moved, stroking the soft fur. A gentle purr came in response. “Mittens,” the girl whispered. The doctor sighed in relief. Valerie let her tears flow, finally releasing them.
Katie wouldn’t let go of the kitten. They spent the night in the hospital. By morning, they were cleared to go home with the note: “The girl’s a lucky charm.” “Mercy returns to the merciful,” whispered Valerie.
