I sit in the sun, eyes slitted in pleasure, occasionally My tail twitchs slightly. The sun is warm. My fur is sleek and clean. My stomach is full. My person is busy doing something nearby. All is right, just as it should be. A purr builds in my throat. The purr halts as She reaches down and picks Me up. Undignified. It is undignified to be held so. Why does She not understand this? As hard as I try, She does not learn. Still, She means no harm and always gives Me good things to eat and grooms Me in just the right way. She is so smart about some things and so... Well, let's be honest - DUMB in others. I look up at Her and wonder what She is doing now. Sometimes, She wants to play like a young one, others She wants comfort and soothing. What does She desire now? If I feel like it, I may give it to Her. If I don't, I will not and will leave Her hold. I wait patiently. This is the way of My kind. Suddenly I am in the small space and I protest loudly. This is not the way to treat Me! I rule, not She! Why now? Sometimes, She takes me to the One In White. I do not like the One In White, but accept the attention for it makes Her feel better. Silly She!

It is not time to visit the One In White though. Sometimes, I go to rule the others. Most of the others are young and have much to learn. It is right that I should be the one to teach them. Even the older ones of the others learn fairly well for all they are too old. Not as well as She, but they try. These teaching journeys are highly irregular for She has not mastered time well. Perhaps this is such a time. I wait.

She places the small place in the big, smelly moving place. Ah. She brings me to He. He is old, but also young. He is a puzzle. I enjoy watching Him. He almost matches My kind. Well... Not really, just as closely as any two leg and almost furless one I have met can. I sniff carefully. Yes, He still smells as good as ever. I wait.

I wake. She makes the open space appear in the small place. I walk out. I am regal as I look. I am Master of all that is before Me. This is the way of My kind. I inspect my current domain with care. It is good. There are strange scents here. This is good. I will hunt. She makes Her noises. She tries, but the sounds are nonsense.

I promise, Rollie. Chiops will stay out of your way. Thanks for letting me bring him.

Yeah, sure, Angie. Just keep him out of my room, the supplies and equipment. That's all I ask. Okay, sweetie?

No problem. I'll just put him in my room for now.

She picks Me up again. Maybe I should scratch? Not hard. I do not want to cause injury, only to teach Her. No. It is not as if She means harm. I will not punish if there is no crime intended.

I check the hidden places. Ah. Here is the way. I smell His intriguing scent. It is dark. She sleeps. She should learn to do it properly. I will follow the scent and find Him. I want to see how He sleeps. I will learn more of the puzzle He is from this new opportunity. I go. It is not hard. As I expect, He is asleep. He does not sprawl as I thought He would. He curls up almost as well as My kind. Not really. But better than I would expect from a two leg one who is so long. I slowly move nearer. Moon hides her face. I look up in His face. He sleeps, but is troubled. I can feel His Spirit. It wants to walk. Why does He fight it? Sleep is better if the spirit is allowed free. I will teach Him. I join Him on the soft surface. I test Him with My whiskers. They are fine and long. They tell Me much. I purr and curl up on Him. I will teach Him. He will learn as well as any of His kind can.

He moves abruptly and makes loud noises. He does not learn. Why?

Angie! Get this cat out of here! NOW!!!

What? Rollie, Chiops is with me. I shut the door. What are you...? Oh?!? And how did you get here?

She picks Me up and puts Her face in My fur. I purr for Her. I feel Her heart.

I'm sorry, boss. I don't know how he got out. I'll take him back to my room.

She takes Me back to Her territory. I listen as She makes more nonsense. Silly She! She should learn to speak properly. Perhaps I will try to teach Her again when She is quieter. She sits on the soft surface and holds Me so Our faces almost touch.

Chiops. I don't know how you got out of here, but you've got to behave. If you don't, Rollie will make me send you back. Don't you want to stay here with me? Or maybe you want to go and be spoiled by the Gattis? You're always impossible after staying with them. Please, Chiops, behave for me. I want you here! Please. I thought you would like the cabin. I bet there are mice and everything. I know you. You like to hunt. Don't make Rollie mad. Okay?

I wait. She sleeps. I will try to teach Him how to free His Spirit so He sleeps properly. I am patient. This is the way of My kind.