I've heard it said over the years that the Longlegs consider we Superiors to have nine lives. I don't know if that's true, but if it is I have to consider that I'd be pushing my luck to get into any more scrapes after this light time. This time might be one scrape too far.
I was with Ginger at early light and we decided it might be fun to test our hunting skills were still working fine. The best way to do so is to creep up on those stupid pheasants and pounce on them. You should see them run when we do that. We headed for the woods to try. Of course we need to see which one of us can manage to pounce the most but those birds are so stupid they forget moments later that you were there and you can do it all over again.
Anyway, all was going well and I had already pounced as many times as I have claws on two legs. It was fun. Ginger was only one behind me and I didn't want him to catch up. We were actually quite close to the edge of the woods at this point. Out of the corner of my eye I saw movement. Turning round I saw some young bouncers helping themselves to the lettuces growing in the field which ran up to the woods. Now, bouncers are notoriously difficult to catch but I was sure we could manage it as we'd proved to be on form so far.
“So Ginger” I said, “It's close run between us and I'm only just ahead. Shall we see how many bouncers we can lay a paw on?”
“Good idea “ said Ginger and putting his belly low to the ground started creeping up on the nearest one. He was within inches when the bouncer must have sensed him and with a flick of it's white tail was off. It's strong back legs giving it the bounce it was named for. Ginger looked very disappointed.
“Just give them a minute to settle again” I said “ I see the farmer has just come out and is watching so I hope he doesn't disturb them and spoil the fun.”
The farmer was standing at the end of the field and it looked like he was just leaning on his stick. The bouncers settled down again. “ My turn” I whispered to Ginger and settled as low as I could and started creeping towards a large one engrossed in eating it's lettuce. I got as close as was possible and lowered myself even further ready to pounce. Up I sprang and landed squarely on the back of the bouncer as I heard an almighty ROAR. I felt stunned and a wind passed over me stinging my back. The bouncer bolted leaving bits of fur in my claws and I fell, erm stepped to the ground. I looked up and the farmer had his stick to his shoulder so I realised it was a killing stick. Another ROAR and I saw a bouncer slump to the floor and a dog came running up to get it. I hissed in case it was thinking to collect me too but it just picked up the bouncer in it's jaws and ran back to it's master. Huh, MASTER, you won't catch a Superior saying that.
As the dog turned and ran I looked up to see where the farmer was and he still had the stick to his shoulder so belly low I crept back to the woods. “Ginger!” I called, and he appeared from somewhere as far away from the edge of the wood as he could get. “Ah Oscar, I thought he had you for a minute” he told me.
“Not this time” I said “but he was very close.”
“Closer than you think “ he said “you've got blood on your back.”
“Well, I'd better go home and get that bathed”I said, “my 'The Her' will be able to do that. At least we proved we still have all our skills and I think I win because I touched a bouncer.”
“ I didn't see that” said Ginger, “ I ran as soon as I heard the shot in case it was coming my way.”
“ I still have his fur on my paws Ginger so you can't argue with that.” Reluctantly he accepted I had won and we walked back to the village. My back was stinging but I couldn't show him that. But as soon as I got home I cried for my 'The Her' to come and fix me up. I told her I won't be taking any more chances and would become a house Superior from now on.
Wise Cat
outside in the field
you'll see a mighty hunter
at home, a kitten...
I was with Ginger at early light and we decided it might be fun to test our hunting skills were still working fine. The best way to do so is to creep up on those stupid pheasants and pounce on them. You should see them run when we do that. We headed for the woods to try. Of course we need to see which one of us can manage to pounce the most but those birds are so stupid they forget moments later that you were there and you can do it all over again.
Anyway, all was going well and I had already pounced as many times as I have claws on two legs. It was fun. Ginger was only one behind me and I didn't want him to catch up. We were actually quite close to the edge of the woods at this point. Out of the corner of my eye I saw movement. Turning round I saw some young bouncers helping themselves to the lettuces growing in the field which ran up to the woods. Now, bouncers are notoriously difficult to catch but I was sure we could manage it as we'd proved to be on form so far.
“So Ginger” I said, “It's close run between us and I'm only just ahead. Shall we see how many bouncers we can lay a paw on?”
“Good idea “ said Ginger and putting his belly low to the ground started creeping up on the nearest one. He was within inches when the bouncer must have sensed him and with a flick of it's white tail was off. It's strong back legs giving it the bounce it was named for. Ginger looked very disappointed.
“Just give them a minute to settle again” I said “ I see the farmer has just come out and is watching so I hope he doesn't disturb them and spoil the fun.”
The farmer was standing at the end of the field and it looked like he was just leaning on his stick. The bouncers settled down again. “ My turn” I whispered to Ginger and settled as low as I could and started creeping towards a large one engrossed in eating it's lettuce. I got as close as was possible and lowered myself even further ready to pounce. Up I sprang and landed squarely on the back of the bouncer as I heard an almighty ROAR. I felt stunned and a wind passed over me stinging my back. The bouncer bolted leaving bits of fur in my claws and I fell, erm stepped to the ground. I looked up and the farmer had his stick to his shoulder so I realised it was a killing stick. Another ROAR and I saw a bouncer slump to the floor and a dog came running up to get it. I hissed in case it was thinking to collect me too but it just picked up the bouncer in it's jaws and ran back to it's master. Huh, MASTER, you won't catch a Superior saying that.
As the dog turned and ran I looked up to see where the farmer was and he still had the stick to his shoulder so belly low I crept back to the woods. “Ginger!” I called, and he appeared from somewhere as far away from the edge of the wood as he could get. “Ah Oscar, I thought he had you for a minute” he told me.
“Not this time” I said “but he was very close.”
“Closer than you think “ he said “you've got blood on your back.”
“Well, I'd better go home and get that bathed”I said, “my 'The Her' will be able to do that. At least we proved we still have all our skills and I think I win because I touched a bouncer.”
“ I didn't see that” said Ginger, “ I ran as soon as I heard the shot in case it was coming my way.”
“ I still have his fur on my paws Ginger so you can't argue with that.” Reluctantly he accepted I had won and we walked back to the village. My back was stinging but I couldn't show him that. But as soon as I got home I cried for my 'The Her' to come and fix me up. I told her I won't be taking any more chances and would become a house Superior from now on.
Wise Cat
outside in the field
you'll see a mighty hunter
at home, a kitten...