ScruffyTheCatandTheWhisperingWoods
AChildren'sStory
ByPoppyJ.S
For my children Vibby and Raam And all the children reading this bookMay your imagination stay bright, your hearts stay kind, and your dreams stay magical and free
ChapterOne–TheCatattheWindow
Scruffywasahandsomeyoungcatwiththefluffiestfuranyonehadeverseen. Helivedinasnuglittlecottageattheedgeofapeacefulvillagewithhisloving owner,Sumi.Theybothweremorethanapetandanowner,theyarebest friends.
Everyday,SumimadesureScruffyhadtastyfood,awarmbed,andplentyof cuddles.Eachmorning,Scruffyperchedonthewindowsillandgazedtoward theWhisperingWoods.Thetalltreesswayedgentlyinthebreeze,whispering wonderfulsecrets.
"Stayinside,Scruffy,"Sumiwouldsaywithasmile."Thewoodsarenoplace foralittlehousecat."Scruffypurred,butdeepinside,hisadventurousheart longedtoexplore.
ChapterTwo–TheDoorLeftOpen
Onewarmmorning,Sumileftthecottagedoorslightlyopenwhilehangingthe washing Scruffy'swhiskerstwitched Hiscuriouspawscarriedhimoutside He boundedthroughthegardentowardtheWhisperingWoods
Butterfliesdancedaroundhimasbirdssangoverhead Butthedeeperhe wandered,thetallerthetreesgrewandthedarkertheshadowsbecame When hefinallyturnedtogohome,thelittlecottagewasnowheretobeseen
ChapterThree–LostAmongGiants
AncientoaktreesstretchedhighaboveScruffywhileglowingmushrooms sparkledbeneaththem.Forthefirsttime,hefeltverysmall.
"Meow?"hecalledhopefully.Onlyechoesanswered. Tiredandfrightened,hecurledbeneathagiantoaktree,wishingheweresafely backbesideSumiandthewarmfire.
Asmoonlightfilledtheforest,amagnificentsilver-featheredowllandedabove Scruffy
"Littlecat,"theowlaskedgently,"whyhaveyouwanderedintotheWhispering Woods?"
"Iwantedanadventure,"Scruffyadmitted."ButnowI'mlost."
"Followthedawn,"theowlrepliedkindly."Bebrave,forshadowsmaytryto frightenyou butcouragewillleadyouhome."
Scruffynoddedandwaitedforthemorninglight.
ChapterFive–TheTrialofShadows
Theforesthadonefinaltest.Strangeshadowswhispered,"Turnback,littlecat." Scruffy'sheartraced,butherememberedtheowl'swords.
Standingtall,hedeclared,"Iamnotafraidofyou." Theshadowsmeltedawayasthefirstgoldenraysofdawntouchedtheforest.
Scruffyhurriedalongthepathuntilhesawthecrookedchimneyofhislittle cottage.
"Scruffy!"criedSumi,rushingoutsidetohughim."IthoughtI'dlostyou."
Scruffypurredhappily.
Adventurehadbeenexciting,butnothingcomparedtotheloveandsafetyof home.
ChapterSeven–TheTreasureofFriendship
Lifereturnedtonormal. ScruffyplayedwithSumi,watchedtheWhisperingWoodsfromthewindowsill, andsmiled.
Theforesthadgivenhimcourage,butithadalsoshownhimthegreatest treasureofall theloveofatruefriendandthecomfortofbelonging.
Lastwintercoveredtheworldwithsnowwhilethecottageglowedwithwarmth. ScruffysleptbesidethefireasSumireadnearby.Herememberedtheowl,the shadows,andeverythinghehadlearned.Wheneverthewindwhisperedthrough thetrees,Scruffysimplysmiled.
Hisheartwasfull,hehadhisadventure,explorednewfindings,nowheisinhis warmhome,andheknewthatdiscoveringtheoutsideworldisfunbutamong all,appreciatingthecomfortofbeinghome wherefamilyis hadbeenthe greatestadventureofall.
TheEnd