  
A large crowd gathered at the edge of the viewing pond, all trying to see to figure out how to help. Goldie wanted to head up the rescue. He fidgeted as he watched and stated in a no nonsense tone, “He was part of my colony, even if he did leave. As Alpha I have a duty to him – to Momma – I can do it.” Friskie watched with sad eyes, “I always know when Momma’s heart hurt, knew how to ease her fears. I need to be there.” Always the little boss, Whizzer spoke up, “This needs the touch of a leader – a boss, I will get this mess straight. Ohhhh, and when I get my paws on this one . . . .” Prissy moved closer to Whizzer – content to let her sister handle things and protect her. Baby and Buttons looked at each other and said almost at the same moment, “We will try to keep him away from the street.” Fuzzy Britches, Curly, Moe, Larry, Patches, Rerun, Coco, Mocca, Tiny, Misty, Peaches, and Cream chimed in unison, “We will guide him away from the ones that will hurt him.” Slowly each added their voice, their promise to try to protect him from the fate that had befallen them. A large voice behind them spoke quietly, cutting their rumbling short. “You will likely scare the poor lost one into deeper hiding.” They all turned – knowing well the voice was the Silver One. “We have to help – do something”, Goldie stated. “You will”, said the Silver One. “You will hold her heart so she has the courage to do as she must. You will send comfort as her tears fall. But Soot’s story was written at his birth – and it will unfold as it should.”
Goldie turned his attention back to the mirror like waters gazing deeply into their reflection of somewhere else. “Is he already . . . ?” he asked. The Silver One looked at Goldie, “You know I cannot answer that. For now he is hidden. Help her – help cradle her heart. She doubts herself – the care and love she has given to each of you and those still there. She feels she has failed you all.” Almost as one voice they all answered, “But she loves each of us, gave us more than we had and more than anyone else would have. How can she doubt? How can she not know?” Prissy spoke up, “she took me when all anyone else saw was my fury and saw it was fear and pain.” Snip piped up, “She took me as an 11 week old wild kitten and tried so hard to save me even though she had only just found me.” Spooky joined in, “She was gonna have my eyes fixed and find me a home – but she didn’t know there was cancer or that it had gone so far. And she set me free!” One by one each added their comments. By now Blue and his Pups had joined the crowd – anxious to help also. “She has a warm gentle lap.” Little Rose added softly. “I do not need convinced,” the Silver One answered. “I have seen, I know. “Help her to see this – to feel this. The Great One who holds the winds in his hand and his angels will look after Soot – will see that his tale unfolds as it should. She is your task.”
As the days slipped by each reached out in their own way, and each day found the grey mists heavier. “Surely we can give her a sign?” they asked the Silver One. He looked and shook his head sadly, “No, that is not our place.” The others gathered around – anxious, “But she is loosing to the grey mists. Can he give her a sign? Can we help him?” The Silver One only shook his head. Perhaps today he thought, or at least he will let us know. Missing is always so much harder to help with – to offer comfort for, he thought.
Although time has little meaning to those waiting, for the crowd gathered near the viewing pond every moment seemed an eternity, the two weeks so far seemed unending. Mid-day of the fourteenth day those gathered heard the chime of glass bells and the sound of their human momma sobbing. None dared approach the viewing pond – none wished to see, for if momma was sobbing then it was too late. They huddled together leaning upon each other. As their sobs merged and rose as a single song of grief they saw the Silver One approaching – grinning. Fuzzy Britches and Patches were first to overcome their surprise, “How can you be so pleased? Do you not hear her sobs?” Now the Silver One could not contain his amusement. “Did you look little ones? See her? Yes she sobs, but not of a broken heart. Did you hear the glass bells?” The others looked at each other and wondered, yes they had heard the bells just as momma began to sob. “The glass bells mean a lost one has been found,” the Silver One said quietly. “her tears are tears of joy.” As one they all rushed to the ponds edge. “Have a care you don’t knock each other in,” chuckled the Silver One. As they looked the grey mists were gone, momma held the missing one close and rained tears of joy on his blue-grey fur as he wrapped his paws around her neck clinging for all he was worth and purring happily. And it seemed a special light shone on the day. As the Silver One walked away he lifted his thoughts to the Great One who holds the winds in his hand and to his angels, “Thank You.”
© Candace 6/6/06
 
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