Unfriendly Neighbors

Two backyards were separated by a brown picket fence.

Katie the kitten lived in one.  She was all white except for the top of her tiger-striped face and ears and blue eyes.

Caruso the cocker spaniel roamed the other yard.  He was caramel in hue with chocolate eyes.

Scampi the grey bushy-tailed squirrel scampered up and down elm trees that bordered both yards.

Caruso growled at Katie if she dared to come near the fence and chased after Scampi if he bounded across Caruso’s yard.

Because both Katie and Scampi feared Caruso, they’d become friends.  The kitten, who loved to lie on sunny spots, often watched Scampi dig up or bury nuts.

One day Katie climbed an elm in fright.

“Scampi, that hound has dug a hole under the fence.  I—I saw his fangs.  I’m afraid to leave this branch.”

Suddenly, they heard Caruso’s baleful howl.

“Help me!  I’m stuck.”

“Got what you deserved.”  Scampi taunted him from up high.

“Please help.  I only meant to scare her.”

“Liar,” Katie cried.  “You’d bite me if you could."

“Noooo.”  His howl became a whimper.

Scampi looked at Katie and fiercely shook his tail.  “I believe him.”

Then he scurried down the trunk to Caruso’s wriggling rump.

“What can I do?” Scampi chittered.

“Dig as if you’re after a giant nut.”

“I’ll help, too,” said Katie who’d quietly snuck down the tree.  “I’ve  sharp claws and this dirt is soft.”

Both went to work and moments later Caruso was free.

He sat on his haunches and scratched his hide.  “Thank you both.  Can we now be friends?”

Katie rubbed her flank against his and purred, “I think so.”

Scampi sat, twitched his tail, and sagely spoke.  “And the moral of the story is a friend in need is a friend indeed.”