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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">DeAnna sub for Dec 22</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">This is a charming story. </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">It is<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>uplifting<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>and well written. </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">As the reader I am transported to
the humble home of<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Becca </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">and her<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>mother.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">To Kit Cat’s<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>birthing environment </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">and the Queen of cats holding
council. </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">It answered the question of where
all those scarlet ribbons came from. </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I think I vaguely rememver your
presenting this story, or one like it before.</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">1,064 words</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Scarlet
Ribbons</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
real story</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">By
DeAnna Quietwater Noriega</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Many
years ago, when I was a kitten living my first life. My mother resided in an
alley behind a dumpster. There were three of us. My brother was an orange
striped tiger. My mother was a midnight black child of the streets. I took
after her with the addition of a white vest and white forepaws. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Late
that fall, as the nights were growing cold, mother told me it was time for me
to move out on my own. I had learned to hunt and no longer needed her milk to
survive. I was hard pressed to keep body and soul together. All of the best
locales were claimed by larger unfriendly cats. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I
wandered further each day, becoming weaker with hunger. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I
sought shelter in some bushes next to the rickety steps of a small rundown
house, near the edge of town. When a girl with hair as black as my coat and
large blue eyes came down those steps, she looked in my direction. Even though
I was crouched and kept very still she spotted me. Her face broke into a smile
so sunny that it made me feel warm all over. Her voice was soft and gentle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">
“You look cold and hungry KitKat. Come here and I will find you something to
eat. Mama has gone to work, and then she will go to night school. You can come
in for a while and get warm.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
girl found me a small bowl and filled it with some leftover beef stew. She
placed a cup with a missing handle full of cool water beside the bowl. After I
polished the bowl clean of any trace of food, she placed a small pillow on the
sill of a sunny window to make me comfortable for a nap. Then she gathered her
books and hurried off to school. Late in the afternoon, she returned to heat
the rest of the stew and mixed some biscuit dough. Although Becca was still a
child, she knew how to prepare simple meals. Her mother Ivy came home briefly
to share this plain fare before rushing off to night school. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Becca
lifted the pan of golden-brown biscuits from the oven and Ivy ladled the stew
into bowls. I was lying quietly on my cushion in the window. Ivy sat down to
eat. Becca lifted me and placed me gently in her mother’s lap.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Look mama, see how thin she is? I am calling her KitKat,
like the candy bar because she is so sweet. I know we don’t have the money for
Christmas presents, but if we keep her, she can be our gift to each other. Ivy
looked into Becca’s pleading eyes. Her work worn hand stroked my soft fur. That
is how I joined Becca and her mother, becoming a part of their family. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Time
flew by and a year later, Christmas was again approaching. There was no money
for pretty packages for them. Taking me in meant some sacrifices in an already
tight budget. If they had not added me to their family, I probably would have
had a short hungry first life. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I
did my best to help where I could, catching mice, curling up on Becca’s feet to
keep them warm while she did homework at the kitchen table. I waited up for
Ivy, and sang a cheerful chirrup to welcome her home each night. I kept Becca
company while her mother rushed from job to school with only a half hour break
to snatch dinner from cans heated on the stove by Becca. I played silly games
to make them smile. I followed Ivy when she came from her night school classes
to peek in to check on Becca. That was when we heard the end of her bedtime
prayer. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“For
me, some scarlet ribbons for my hair.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">When
Ivy had tiptoed back to the kitchen, I sat on her lap while she tried to get
quiet in her heart so she could sleep. Later, when I made my rounds to be sure
my people were sleeping, I found Becca breathing softly tucked snugly in her
bed. Ivy wasn’t doing as well. Her pillow was damp with tears. I curled against
her side and purred her to sleep. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I knew that Becca’s request was
impossible. There was no way Ivy could get those ribbons. I slipped out walking
through the wall. Cats can do things like that if they truly must. I hurried
across town. Only Tasha, queen of cats might be able to help. What price would
she accept in payment? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I crept into the old barn where she
held court on Christmas Eve. Hundreds of cats gathered there to sing her
praises. I waited until the time for supplications came. I stepped forth and
made my request for scarlet ribbons for Becca’s hair. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Tasha’s
green eyes glared down at me. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“What will you give for those
ribbons?” she growled. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I was the least of her kind, a small
black cat born in an alley of no exotic breeding or importance. I had only one
thing I could give. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Oh great queen, I offer one of my
nine lives. May you live one life beyond your allotted number and I one less.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The trade was made and her minions
were sent out to search the town for lengths of scarlet ribbon. Velvet bows
disappeared from wrapped gifts beneath Christmas trees. Satin ribbons were
taken from door wreaths. Sewing rooms were searched for ribbons left from
holiday dressmaking. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Nearing the end of my 8<sup>th</sup>
life I have no regrets. The look of amazement on Ivy’s face and the trusting
joy on Becca’s when she woke to find her prayer had been answered was worth the
sacrifice. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I lived a long and happy first life.
I was there when Ivy finished school and got a better job. I watched Becca grow
to become a beautiful young woman, marry and have children of her own. As I
approach the end of my 8<sup>th</sup> and final life, I am content. I have been
a good and loving cat and brought comfort and joy to all of my subsequent human
families. Who is to say that the Creator of all life didn’t use one small
humble cat to answer the prayers of a good child. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>
<br><br><br><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leonard I. Tuchyner, Author</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.dldbooks.com/tuchyner/">https://www.dldbooks.com/tuchyner/</a><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="text-decoration:none;"> </span></u></p><br></div>