Maisy

• Bethany Johnston, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2013

This human is so slow, I thought.I had tried everything, including yelling, licking her face and even purring right next to her ear! Frustrated, I leapt off the humungous bed and landed with a thud.I crept along the boards, making sure I stepped on the squeaky ones in case that woke her up. The sun was being friendly today, as it was letting through a ray of warm light that motivated me to climb the huge, cold stairs. After the trip, that seemed to take forever, I hopped up onto another wrinkly bed. I paced slowly back and forth until this human woke up. "Finally," I said, "feed me now!"

Once we got downstairs she placed a scoopful of dry food, my favourite, on my ceramic plate. I munched loudly whilst thinking up a plan to get her to let me outside. I really wanted to catch one of those pesky pigeons that annoyed the hell out of me. So I made my way to the shiny glass door and screamed "let me out, let me out" about a hundred times. The oldest human finally got out of bed and made her way towards me. She clicked the lock open and pushed the handle down forcefully.

I took my time to make my way over to the lush, wet forest. First, I dodged the creepers and vines, and then I plonked myself down onto the warm, damp soil. I really like this spot because it had a perfect view of the food tin, from where the humans fed those dreadful, furry rodents that constantly squeak. The birds are always hanging around there, so that's where I planned to stalk them. I waited patiently, hoping that one would land in the perfect position.

After waiting about fifteen minutes, a plump, feathery one landed close by. I stretched my legs, preparing to hunt it down. I had to be quiet, so it wouldn't fly away. I took it a step at a time, being careful not to step on any crunchy leaves that would give away my position. Once I got near it, I pounced. Man it was my biggest catch yet! I landed on it's wing, but it turned around and pecked me. I let go to examine my wound. I was so disappointed! I'd had it, my first catch, but let it go for just a tiny wound.