The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Five

Kitten's Revenge

Spring arrived at the Yard with a gentle rain. Warmer air, laden with moisture, came over the Land and washed away the last lingering bits of snow. As if they were responding to the lengthening day, the herbs in the various gardens sprouted and flowered. Outside in the field, wildflowers blossomed, and the grasses began to grow in the bare ground. Then, the rain moved on, and morning dawned with a warm clear sky. 

      Alcestis moved from garden to garden, gathering the needed herbs. Jellylorum had recruited her, since the White-Brown Queen seemed to love growing things. With Tailkinker under complete bed-rest and care, and Jennyanydots at her Home, Jellylorum did not have the time to tend the gardens. Since she felt the need to contribute, Alcestis had asked Jellylorum to help her learn to distinguish the various herbs. The Matron found out very soon that the shy Queen did know plants very well 

      Tagging along with her Mother, Celestine did not really understand why they were doing this chore. One plant looked the same as another to her. But, Celestine wanted to be with her Mother today. Besides, Leona was not out yet, and Althea and Jonathan had their chores to do. The kitten carried a basket, which was rapidly filling with various leaves and roots and a few flowers. 

      “Mother? If we are considered to be like cats, why do we eat plants?” 

      Alcestis had spread out a small towel and was beginning to kneel on it when her daughter asked that question. “Because, dear. We are more complex than what the Humans call 'cats'. Our bodies need more nourishment and nutrients than meat only can provide. We also need the fiber that the leaves and roots offer.” 

      The kitten seemed content with the explanation, and watched her Mother begin to weed out a small patch protected by a tire. Her attention was not totally absorbed by the gardening. In fact, like all young kittens, Celestine began to look for other avenues of interest. This time, she did not have to look very far. 

      This patch of herbs grew on the southern end of the furniture pile that constituted part of the Square. Celestine saw the boxes where they had that delicious snowball fight last moon. Inside the pile, Celestine knew the Writer Cat lived there when he was in the Yard. Across the way, the old oven held some interesting hiding places to get into for Pounce and Tag. Then, the tire and the tables and boxes waited for the festivals when they would come outside again. Tonight might be their first, if a storm does not come in. Celestine giggled when she saw the old car. No matter whether they were inside or outside, the old wreck had plenty of places to play in and on. That is, when those “young Adults” were not inside doing things. Celestine was not quite sure what they were doing, but they kept her from playing inside. 

      Her gaze flowed up and into the tops of the furniture pile where an old mantle clock sat. The timepiece always read five minutes after ten. Celestine did not understand the symbols on the clock face before, but Alcestis explained it one time. The “I” was a one, the “V” was a five, and the “X” was a ten. To tell the time, she had to figure out how many of each symbols the little hand was pointing at. That meant she had to do addition, and that was hard! The longer hand was awful! Each of the symbols was five minutes long, and that meant multiplication! Still, the clock could have been worse. She shuddered to think what would have happened if the hands had been on “VIII” and “IX.” The nine kept throwing her subtraction! “I” before the “X” meant “one from ten!” 

      The clock was still the same, but her attention was drawn to someone sitting there. A black kitten sat with his back against the clock. Even from here, she could see his green eyes looking down at her. She waved shyly, and saw him smile. 

      “Mother? Can I visit with Nightchaser?” 

      Alcestis looked up and then in the direction of her daughter’s stare. The Black Kitten bowed slightly as he noticed the Queen had seen him. “Yes, dear. Just be careful.”