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BROWNIE & SPOTTY

 

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

13/X/2025

 

In August I had talked about three cute little kittens in our lane. Dotty, Brownie and Spotty. Dotty has disappeared, probably the obvious happened, so has their mom.

 

Our car is their favourite hiding spot. Shade, security, and safety are available. I would add another S, ‘Shikar”. They sit under it in a hope to catch a bird or two.

 

Many birds visit our home. Insects, grain, roti, and water attract them. Some of them come to bathe on water droplets accumulated on the leaves. They meander between the pots seeking insects. Some come for nectar, some as predators. Dotty and Brownie come to hone their hunting skills.

 

One day, their mom was refusing to budge from a spot between the pots. I told her to go away. She didn’t move an inch. Her gaze was focussed on something.

 

What could it be? Just then I saw some movement on the side of the pot. Due to the shade and shadows of the plants, that creature was well camouflaged. She could smell it; I had seen it but the cat was not able to dig her paws into it.

 

I waited as watering had to be done. Cats hate getting wet. To tease her, turned the hose towards her. However, I wanted her to catch breakfast for her kittens. They were small & living on her milk. This juicy creature was an ‘extra diet’.

 

The smart guy was a big ‘house rat’. It was hidden on the side of the pot. I spotted it because of its twitching whiskers. There was hardly any space between the wall and the pot, thus not letting the cat get a grip on it.

 

Mom cat looked at me as if asking me to help catch the rat. I could understand it from what her eyes were conveying to me. I too told her in the same language to wait as I sprinkle water on that pot to make the rat move. Mom cat held her ground for a good bargain of a juicy rat.

 

As I sprinkled on the pot, the rat revealed its position and moved. In that fraction of a second, it exposed itself, good enough for mom cat to pounce on it and get a firm grip on it.

 

One mom’s call for muster with the mouse in between her teeth was all that was required for the three kittens to appear out of thin air. I left them to enjoy the new toy and meal.

 

Spotty and Brownie come to the car at dawn religiously. That is the time I spread Bajra and roti for the birds. Moment, I knock the plate on the metal junction box. It is party time for them. Birds congregate quickly and these guys have a birds eye view from under the car. The kittens must be salivating looking at those feathery creatures hoping against hope to catch one.

 

Birds are smart. Anything can startle them and in unison they all fly away. How deliberately these kittens tip toe towards them, those girls are vigilant. The kittens change their tactics and approach cautiously from within the pots closest to where they feed, but the birds understand their catty tricks well.

 

When you tell them to stop disturbing the birds, it is a sight to watch. Do not get carried away by the innocent eyes as if we are the most Sharif kittens on earth. We were just playing hide and seek; they try and tell me. I know, the kittens know and the birds also know what they mean.

 

The other day, chasing a bird, Spotty climbed up the Neem tree. She climbed up alright but could not come down. Moment, she saw me, she gave a distressed mew to say please help me come down. I told her to learn. After a few attempts, finally she descended.

 

Then one day she climbed up the devils flower tree which is in full bloom now. Lots of birds are visiting them for nectar. The kitten has sharp claws and could go up only to get close to a hornets nest. I was close by and scampered for safety, lest I get bitten by those deadly stingers of the orangish kind.

 

Their game of hide and seek continues unabated but there is a problem. New tenants have come to stay next door and they have a Shih Tzu dog who just cannot stand cats. Even under the car is within reach of Mr Leo. It is fun to watch the dog and cat game. The birds are safer now as they have a personal security guard.

 

The kittens rarely visit their favourite spot and keep themselves to the opposite lane. Will Leo allow Brownie and Spotty return? I wonder!!!!!!!

 

https://youtu.be/gGMGVTF7bm4

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS

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