A Cat Story: Part Two

Summary

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Little Stories for Tiny People: "A Cat Story: Part Two"

Podcast: Little Stories for Tiny People
Host: Rhea Pechter
Air Date: February 27, 2022
Episode: A Cat Story: Part Two

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Overview

In this heartfelt and whimsical conclusion to "A Cat Story," Cat (also known as Whiskers) continues his adventure away from his human home, seeking answers about what it truly means to be "wild" or "independent." As Cat meets both new and familiar animal friends, he explores the balance between dependence and independence, community and solitude. The episode gently unpacks themes of belonging, identity, self-worth, and the complex ties between people and their pets, all delivered with warmth and humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Recap and Setting the Stage

• [00:08-01:05]
  • Rhea and Peter K remind listeners of the first part’s events: Cat leaves his home to become wild, faces unexpected difficulties, and ends with a puzzle about Colonel.
  • Key quote:
    • Peter K: “If you haven't already listened to part one, go do that now.”

2. Adventures in the Trash District

• [01:28-06:01]
  • Cat awakes outdoors, encounters a ladybug, then meets Sasha by a city trash can.
  • Cat accidentally tries eating a tech-savvy wolf spider, Reginald, who checks "permissions" for the trash district.
  • Comedic bureaucracy among animal characters lightens the tone.
  • Notable interactions:
    • Reginald (Reggie): “What's your ID number?... Sorry for jumping in your mouth, by the way. I’ve found it’s the best way to get cat’s attention.” [04:04-04:11]
    • Sasha, about cats and wolves: “He’s with me. He’s my new friend... we really clicked.” [04:53]

3. Surviving in the City: Friendship and Food

• [06:07-10:16]
  • Sasha leads Cat to good finds in the trash—half-eaten burgers and dirty chicken nuggets.
  • Cat learns that “wild” city cats (like Sasha) rely on human trash and infrastructure.
  • Insightful realization for Cat: Surviving outside still means depending on humans.
  • Memorable moment:
    • Sasha: “You rely on people, don’t you?”
      Sasha: “Yeah, loads of people—a whole city full. Without them, it would be hard to find food and water…” [08:43-09:10]

4. Wild vs. Domestic: A Fuzzy Line

• [10:16-11:20]
  • The conversation reveals that both house and street cats rely on humans in different ways.
  • Reginald chivvies Cat to leave, signaling the continuing tension between animal ‘authorities’ and Cat’s search for a place to belong.
  • “All I can say is, be grateful. And stay wild in spirit.” [28:08-28:12]

5. Seeking Wisdom from the Duchess

• [12:29-18:23]
  • Cat seeks answers about the enigmatic Colonel from the regal Duchess.
  • Comic exchange about the fate of the Duchess’s former chipmunk guard (“I ate him.” “I’m joking.”) [13:29-13:50]
  • The Duchess explains "catnature”—cats often say one thing, do another, and live in contradictions.
  • Notable quote:
    • The Duchess: “Things cats say and the things cats do don’t always line up. It’s catnature.” [16:16-16:37]
    • “Life is not either/or. Life takes place in the great in-between.” [17:47-17:57]

6. Cat’s Revelation: A Sign from Home

• [19:43-24:12]
  • Cat wonders about his true self—wild or domestic? He catches sight of a “Lost Cat” sign tied to a tree, with his own picture and his human’s heartfelt plea.
  • Moving moment:
    • “Our much beloved darling brown tabby cat, Whiskers, is missing... He’s an important member of our family.” [20:42-21:23]
  • Cat finally realizes that his human needs him for love—not just as a pet, but as family.
  • Reflective insight:
    • Rhea Pechter: “He had never understood that they relied on him... No, apparently, they needed him for love.” [23:07-23:20]

7. Cat Returns: A New Understanding

• [24:37-27:44]
  • Cat returns home, finding meaning and satisfaction both in his safety and his little adventures.
  • The home isn’t a prison—it’s a home base, filled with love and comfort.
  • He continues to balance wild instincts with the joys of being cared for—climbing rooftops, lounging in the sun, watching his human’s new hummingbird feeder.

8. Wisdom Passed On

• [27:44-28:12]
  • Cat encounters another nervous house cat outdoors and imparts the lesson learned:
    • Cat: “I can’t answer that for you. All I can say is be grateful. And stay wild in spirit.” [28:08-28:12]

9. Postscript: Meta-Jokes and Listeners’ Letters

• [28:25-29:32]
  • A humorous “letter” from the Spider and Beetle Guild corrects the storytelling (because “wolf spiders do not use laptops”—they use typewriters).
  • Lighthearted banter about writing fiction and imaginary animals.

10. Closing Reflections

• [29:32-30:21]
  • Host Rhea reflects on the meaning of journeys and returning home with a greater understanding. The story ends with a nudge to appreciate where we’ve been and what we have.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Cat meets Reginald the Wolf Spider:
  • Reginald: “You with just four legs and your big slow brains.” [04:29]
• On life’s contradictions:
  • The Duchess: “Things cats say, and the things cats do don’t always line up. It’s catnature.” [16:16-16:37]
  • The Duchess: “Life is not either/or. Life takes place in the great in-between.” [17:47-17:57]
• Cat’s realization about love:
  • Rhea Pechter (narrating Cat’s thoughts): “He had never understood that they relied on him... No, apparently, they needed him for love.” [23:07-23:20]
• Cat’s advice to another cat:
  • Cat: “I can’t answer that for you. All I can say is be grateful. And stay wild in spirit.” [28:08-28:12]
• Meta-joke about wolf spiders and technology:
  • “Wolf spiders do not use laptops. They are well known to be critical of new technology. They use typewriters. Everyone knows this, except apparently you.” [28:49-29:02]

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Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:08] - [01:08]: Introduction and recap
• [01:28] - [06:01]: Cat, Sasha, and Reginald at the trash district
• [07:01] - [10:16]: Insights about city cats’ reliance on humans
• [12:29] - [18:23]: Visit to the Duchess for wisdom
• [19:43] - [24:12]: The "Lost Cat" sign and epiphany about love
• [24:37] - [27:44]: Cat’s return and newfound balance
• [27:44] - [28:12]: Advice to a younger cat
• [28:25] - [29:32]: Listener “emails” and story corrections
• [29:32] - End: Closing reflections and gratitude

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Final Thoughts

“A Cat Story: Part Two” turns a simple tale about a runaway pet into a fun, wise, and emotionally resonant story. Cat’s journey leads to self-discovery—not just about the balance between independence and dependence, but about the mutual, often unnoticed love between humans and their animal companions. With its colorful characters, gentle humor, and thoughtful reflections (as well as a few meta-jokes), this episode is as delightful for parents as it is for kids.

Recommendation:
Perfect for families to listen together at home, in the car, or before bed—especially if you love animals, gentle humor, and stories with heart.

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Transcript

[Rhea Pechter]

This is Rhea.

[Peter K]

Welcome to Little Stories for Tiny People. Friends, if you recall, we are in the middle of a two part story. Today we get to hear part two of a cat story. And I don't know about you, but I'm ready to jump in. If you haven't already listened to part one, go do that now. Okay, quick recap. In a cat story, part one, Cat escaped from his human box to live.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

As a wild cat.

[Peter K]

Things did not go that well. And part one ended with a shocking.

[Rhea Pechter]

Revelation about the Colonel. Cat retreated to the woods to figure out his next move. Okay, we have a lot to get.

[Peter K]

To, so take it away.

[Emily]

Emily, remember, there are no pictures. You have to imagine the pictures in your mind. You can imagine them however you want. Okay, here we go.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat woke up with a jolt. He could feel something crawling up his leg. He looked down and saw a ladybug. The ladybug was entirely unbothered by Cat, even as he started shaking his leg to throw it off. Cat had only seen ladybugs a few times and had no idea if they were poisonous. Uh, could you get off me, please?

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Oh, is this your leg? My eyes are glowing. I thought it was a very mossy log. My most sincere apologies.

[Rhea Pechter]

The ladybug flew off. Cat landed nearby and continued walking. Cat stretched and yawned. His neck was sore from sleeping in a weird position. His fur was rumpled. It took him a second to remember why he was outdoors in the forest and not on his rug. Oh, right. I'm wild now. It took him another second to remember Colonel Cuddles and the chipmunk and the human person. Cat felt the confusion settle back into his mind. Why did he lie to me? Answers. That was what he needed. But he also needed food. Cat scowled as he remembered his hunting failures the night before. He needed a real meal. And the only cat who might be able to help him get one was nowhere near the woods. Cat jumped to his feet and headed off through the trees. He found Sasha quicker than he expected. She was digging in a trash can not far from where they'd met in the middle of the city. Cat opened his mouth to get Sasha's.

[Peter K]

Attention, but something leapt into it. Something moving. Ew. Cat was hungry, but he was not a fool.

[Rhea Pechter]

He spat the thing out onto the sidewalk. It was a wolf spider. Blegh. Some cats don't mind spiders, but Cat.

[Peter K]

Was not a fan.

[Rhea Pechter]

Too crunchy. Also, too many shoelaces. Cat noticed the wolf spider was holding a tiny laptop.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

What's your ID number?

[Rhea Pechter]

My what?

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Name.

[Peter K]

Uh, Cat.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Oh, my okay, Cat, let me see if you come up in the database. Sorry for jumping in your mouth, by the way. I've found it's the best way to get Cat's attention. You all are a strange sort. Always looking off into the distance with.

[Rhea Pechter]

An air of superiority.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

You with just four legs and your big slow brains.

[Rhea Pechter]

The wolf spider tapped away on his tiny keyboard.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

As I thought, you are not on the list for this trash district.

[Peter K]

I'm not sure I.

[Emily]

Cat, you're back.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Oh my gosh. Did you come back to hang out with me? This is so exciting. Did you see any wolves?

[Rhea Pechter]

Sasha came over and stood next to Cat.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Reggie, he's with me. He's my new friend. We met the other day at dumpster number 2271 and we really clicked.

[Rhea Pechter]

Sasha's whiskers were caked with frosting from a half eaten donut. The wolf spider was not amused.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

He's not on the list and I've told you, call me Reginald. Okay, I'll try to remember that. But do you remember last week I saved you from that bat that wanted to eat you? Remember how I went right up to the bat and I said, get out.

[Rhea Pechter]

Of here you bat, and leave my.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Friend Reggie alone because he doesn't want to be eaten today.

[Rhea Pechter]

Or ever.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

I think at least I would never want to be eaten by a bat. I guess you might feel differently. I don't know. But you sure seemed happy when he flew away.

[Rhea Pechter]

Do you remember that? Reginald scowled. I remember. The spider looked around as if there might be someone watching them. Fine.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

He's got five minutes.

[Rhea Pechter]

And it's Reginald. Hear that, Cat?

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

And next time you come into this.

[Peter K]

District without proper permissions.

[Emily]

Kay.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Thanks, Reggie.

[Peter K]

Oops.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

I mean Reginald.

[Rhea Pechter]

The wolf spider grumbled to himself and scurried up the side of the nearest building.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Don't mind him.

[Peter K]

He seems really angry and dissatisfied with his life.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

But I think it's just a friend.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat's mind filled with questions. Why was a wolf spider guarding trash cans? How were the trash districts organized? Did all the street cats have to get permission to eat from them?

[Peter K]

Who gave them permission?

[Rhea Pechter]

And how could he go about trying to get it? But Cat's stomach growled loudly and he only had five minutes. So he decided to stick with why he came in the first place. I'm starving.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Come on. I know where the good stuff is.

[Rhea Pechter]

With a flick of her tail, Sasha.

[Peter K]

Motioned for Cat to follow her to.

[Rhea Pechter]

A trash can down the block.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

You would not believe a human's throwaway.

[Peter K]

It's bananas.

[Rhea Pechter]

I don't really like bananas.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Oh Cat, you're funny. Here you go.

[Rhea Pechter]

Sasha dragged out a half eaten cheeseburger and tossed it to catch. Cat lunged at it and tore it apart. Sasha scrounged around and dragged out some dirty chicken nuggets.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Some tiny human must have dropped these on the ground.

[Peter K]

Like I said, can't get over what.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

These people throw away. They're really weird about dirt.

[Rhea Pechter]

It's like they don't want to eat it or something.

[Peter K]

But dirt has lots of good stuff.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

In it, you know what I mean? But humans do have really big slow brains, so you have to forgive them.

[Rhea Pechter]

For not thinking all this through.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

They're doing their best is what Paul says.

[Rhea Pechter]

Of course, he does make up a.

[Peter K]

Lot of stories, so I don't really go by what Paul says.

[Rhea Pechter]

They spent the next few minutes eating. Cat felt full quickly, his stomach having shrunk in the past couple of days. Thank you. Seriously, cat said when he'd finished.

[Peter K]

You're so welcome.

[Rhea Pechter]

The sun was out and the two felines stretched out on a sunny strip of sidewalk. Cat's mind went a little fuzzy from the food and the sun. He winked, his eyes closed.

[Peter K]

So where do you usually get your food?

[Rhea Pechter]

Sasha peered at Cat with a curious look. What do you mean? Well, the human trash is good and all, but where do you get most of your food?

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

This is where I get all of my food.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat opened his eyes and looked at her.

[Peter K]

All of your food.

[Rhea Pechter]

But don't you catch mice? Don't you, you know, hunt? Sasha nodded, finally understanding.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Sometimes I do. But it's hard to get enough food that way. Nearly impossible.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat looked at Sasha's thin frame. As a house cat, she'd be considered terribly underweight. A stark new thought dropped into Cat's mind. You rely on people, don't you? Cat asked, sitting up straight.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

People? Yeah, Loads of people.

[Peter K]

A whole city full.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Without them, it would be hard to find food and water because they make the pond I drink out of.

[Peter K]

Also, once I found this teeny hat and it fit on my head, it's.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Really, really hard to find hats my size.

[Peter K]

Also, by the way, it's really hard to find suspicious that fit me.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

And even when I do, I don't have pants, so it makes it really tricky to use the suspenders. Anyway, I wouldn't have any of that.

[Peter K]

Stuff without the people.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat looked around as if seeing the city for the first time. Impossibly tall buildings, flat roads filled with wheel boxes, all made by people. So it's not that much different than what I had I relied on two humans. You rely on a city full.

[Emily]

Oh, wow.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Yeah. What an interesting connection to make. Same deal.

[Rhea Pechter]

More humans.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Plus rain, snow, ice.

[Rhea Pechter]

Have you seen ice? It's a nightmare.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Paul tells me it's made of water.

[Rhea Pechter]

But I don't see how that could be true.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

And I've told you how he makes up stories, so. Oh, and let's see. No heat, no regular meals, no. Let me guess.

[Peter K]

Refrigerators.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

I've seen them being taken out of trucks. You get to sit inside those on really hot days, right?

[Rhea Pechter]

Not exactly.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

No pillows, no treats, none of those little mouse toys. No doctors when you're sick.

[Rhea Pechter]

No hairdressers, no laser shows, no catnip. What are those? Sasha asked, her ears perking up.

[Peter K]

Oh, never mind.

[Rhea Pechter]

They sat in silence for a moment. Cat opened his mouth to speak, but something leapt into it. He spat it out. It was Reginald again.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

I said five minutes. Relax, Reggie. Oh, sorry, Reginald. Does it look like we're anywhere near a trash can? He cannot be in this district without proper permissions. And trust me, fella, I will be filling out an incident report with your name on it. So good luck getting permissions in this town anytime soon.

[Rhea Pechter]

I'm on my way out, Cat said.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Cat, you don't have to.

[Rhea Pechter]

It's fine. I have somewhere to be anyway. And thank you for the food and for the rest. And thank you, Reginald. Before Sasha could protest further, Cat strode down the street and was lost in the thicket of humans on the city sidewalk. As he left, he heard Reginald stamping his eight little feet on the ground. Cat padded through the streets, his belly full and his head swimming. How was the wildest Cat he knew? The one who scrounged for food and slept outside, just as dependent on people as he had been? As Cat made his way out of the city and back into the tree lined neighborhood, he remembered the colonel. He had to find someone who might help him make sense of what he'd seen the night before. He had an idea of who that someone might be. As Cat approached the Duchess's sunroom, he heard the sound of little feet running. The chipmunk guard scrambled through Cat's legs holding his golden flag.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Ahem.

[Emily]

Who goes there?

[Rhea Pechter]

You don't remember me? I was just here the other day.

[Emily]

I repeat, who goes there?

[The Duchess]

Quincy, your hollering has damaged the very delicate hairs in my inner ear.

[Peter K]

Go be of use.

[The Duchess]

Some of the shrews have kept their precious books. Pass the due dates. You must collect them at once with penalties. You know what that requires.

[Rhea Pechter]

Yes, Daltress the chipmunk scampered off.

[The Duchess]

Hard to believe, but he's much more useful than my last guard.

[Peter K]

What?

[Rhea Pechter]

What happened to your last guard?

[The Duchess]

I ate him.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat gulped, momentarily forgetting that he was.

[Peter K]

A cat with sharp claws and not a chipmunk.

[Rhea Pechter]

The Duchess let out one of her long, strange laughs.

[The Duchess]

I'm joking. You're quite serious, aren't you? My last God did not collect overdue penalties from the shrews with any regularity.

[Rhea Pechter]

I banished him.

[Peter K]

Uh huh.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat suddenly remembered he had come to speak with the Duchess by choice. I came to talk to you. I thought you might have some insights to offer. The Duchess's piercing green eyes gleamed at this. Cat was about to speak further when they were interrupted by the Duchess's human. He padded into the room wearing woollen slippers and went over to the bookshelf.

[The Duchess]

Could have sworn I left that book right here.

[Rhea Pechter]

The Duchess locked eyes with Cat and raised a brow. Then she let out a severe meow, meow. And the human scurried from the room. That book he's looking for.

[The Duchess]

The shrews have it. I see. Well, you said you needed my insights.

[Rhea Pechter]

Yes. Do you happen to know the Colonel? The Duchess sighed as if it took great energy to care about this conversation.

[The Duchess]

We are acquainted. Then you know that he's a part timer. Yes.

[Rhea Pechter]

The Duchess began, cleaning herself. A part timer.

[The Duchess]

He rules over his dominion part of the time. The rest of the time he prowls. His word, not mine. I do not prowl. It is most undignified.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat thought back to when he met the Colonel after falling asleep under the wheelbox. When I met him. He made it sound like no cat should ever live in a human box. But I know he does. I don't get it.

[The Duchess]

I see you poor dear. This must be terribly confusing for you. Allow me to explain in words. You may understand things cats say, and the things cats do don't always line up. It's catnature.

[Rhea Pechter]

Sorry, what was that last word?

[The Duchess]

Cat Nature. The nature of cats. My apologies. I did say I would use words you'd understand. It's hard to remember how very little you understand.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat gave a weak smile.

[The Duchess]

Cats have a tendency to say one thing and do another.

[Peter K]

But why?

[Rhea Pechter]

Why would the Colonel talk about house cats the way he did when he knew he'd be sleeping in a warm bed that night?

[The Duchess]

Perhaps he's conflicted about his station life. Not all who are born into royalty feel comfortable with the responsibility. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility. To preside over shrews and their precious books.

[Rhea Pechter]

You think he's conflicted?

[The Duchess]

Life is not. Not either. Or Life takes place in the great in between.

[Rhea Pechter]

At that moment, Quincy arrived, swaying beneath a stack of books atop his head.

[The Duchess]

Quincy, I take it you collected the appropriate overdue penalties from the shrews.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Yes, Duchess.

[Rhea Pechter]

Good.

[The Duchess]

There are no exceptions. They're either on time or late. No, in between.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat felt a headache coming on. He said his goodbyes and found himself back on the sidewalk. He still had no answers. After all this. His mind went to Sasha, who lived her whole life outdoors, free but scrounging for food from passersby. He thought of the colonel, who was wild one minute and a Lapp pet the next. And he thought of the duchess, who lived a life confined to a human box but who reigned over both humans and animals alike. Which one of them was doing it right? When Cat had set out on this adventure, he knew, just knew, he was meant to be wild. But now he was no longer sure what that even meant, or whether it was the right path at all. Cat trotted down the street. He had no idea where to go or what to do next. He looked up at the sky, the endless sky. The sky that on that first day seemed like it could swallow him up into a great blue eternity. I need a sign, he said.

[Peter K]

Please.

[Rhea Pechter]

I don't know what to do. Just give me a sign. And as he lowered his eyes from the clouds above, he saw a sign. It was attached to a tree. It said, beloved Cat, Lost. Cat felt a lump form in his throat as he moved closer to the tree. There was a mailbox next to it, and he leapt on top so he could look at the sign. There was a picture of a cat. It was a tabby cat with an M pattern on its forehead and swirling stripes going down its side and through its tail. The cat had big, searching eyes. Its fur looked sleek and well maintained. Beneath its picture. There was a name. Whiskers. Cat blinked. His eyes felt itchy. He shook his head from side to side and kept reading. Our much beloved darling brown tabby cat, Whiskers, is missing. He's an expert at getting out of a collar, so we stopped trying to make him wear one instead. You'll recognize him by the white blotch on his left back foot. He's the sweetest cat you'll ever meet, but also fiercely independent and clever. Whiskers may run away from you, but.

[Peter K]

If you are able to reach him. He enjoys head scratches.

[Rhea Pechter]

Just don't touch his tummy or under his chin. If you see Whiskers please return him to us. He helped me get through a very difficult time in my life last year. I missed him terribly. He's an important member. He's an important member of our family. There was a number to text, an email address, a fax number, a pager number, and a street address. Cat looked down at himself. His matted fur had been swept in all directions by the wind, but he could still see the swirling stripes down his side. He swiveled his head to look at his back left foot where there was indeed a white blotch covering his paw. Cat tried to make sense of the sign. Fiercely independent. Important member of our family. Cat thought back to last year. He hadn't thought much of it at the time, but now he could remember his human crying a lot. She'd let him sleep next to her for months, which was a treat. She was always calling him over Whiskers, having him sit with her on the couch in her lap.

[Peter K]

Cat hadn't understood that she was extra.

[Rhea Pechter]

Affectionate because she needed him. This was new information. Cat had lived in a human box for years, understanding that he relied on them. He needed them to survive, and he.

[Peter K]

Kind of resented it.

[Rhea Pechter]

He had never understood that they relied on him. They didn't need him for food or water or to scratch them behind the ears.

[Peter K]

That would be funny.

[Rhea Pechter]

No, apparently, they needed him for love. In all of his travels the last few days, Cat had spoken to three very different felines with three very different perspectives on life. Not one of them had mentioned love.

[Peter K]

Cat realized none of these cats had.

[Rhea Pechter]

All the answers, and none of them could fully answer the questions he had about his own life. Cat looked into the eyes of the cat on the sign. He felt like he was seeing himself for the first time. He did look fiercely independent. He did look clever. Cat jumped down from the mailbox. That was a few weeks ago. Now Cat sits on his window perch watching a plane trace across the sky. He feels a light breeze drift through his fur. A few days after his return, he taught himself how to crack open the window just a touch, to feel closer to the outdoors.

[Peter K]

Cat also has some new entertainment.

[Rhea Pechter]

While he was missing, his human person got creative. She put a hummingbird feeder right outside Cat's favorite window, hoping it would draw him back home.

[Peter K]

When he did come back, she believed.

[Rhea Pechter]

It was because of the bird feeder.

[Peter K]

Cat allowed her, with her big, slow.

[Rhea Pechter]

Brain, to continue believing that only he knows the whole story. Cat's human box no longer feels like a place he needs to escape. It feels like home base. A Place to relax between adventures.

[Peter K]

Because yes, Cat still goes on adventures.

[Rhea Pechter]

He makes it out of the house at least once a week to lie in the sun, to glare at caterpillars, to paw at stink bugs, to prowl. He learned a new trick just a couple days ago. There's a trellis that he can climb up to get on the roof of the human box. On a warm afternoon, there is no better place to lounge than on those sun baked shingles. From up there, Cat can gaze up at the endless sky, watching the clouds. He can look out at the woods and sometimes glimpse deer dipping their heads to eat leaves. On top of a human built structure, he has found a commanding perch. He relishes these moments. He drinks them up. He gets his fill for about 45 minutes and then he slips inside. Sometimes he still has feelings of being locked in. When he feels that way, he channels the duchess. We are royalty, he tells himself. He's a prince.

[Peter K]

Cat looks upon his humans and nods his head.

[Rhea Pechter]

Yes, I shall allow these people to serve me. Once more, they stoop to refresh his water bowl. I presume that is filtered water, he thinks. I shall taste it. And if it is not, I shall drink from the toilet bowl instead, Cat says, not knowing how water works. When he is feeling powerless, Cat reminds himself he has the power to cause certain people's eyes to swell shut simply by being near them. Cat still rolls his eyes when dogs.

[Peter K]

Stride by, heads held high, jauntily leading.

[Rhea Pechter]

Their owners down the sidewalk. You will never get to chase that rabbit, Cat thinks. He keeps a lookout for any more cats on leashes, but he hasn't seen any. Maybe the humans are capable of learning on one of Cat's adventures. As he drinks from a stream and cleans himself, a small house cat wanders over looking anxious.

[Peter K]

First time out, huh? Cat says.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Is it that obvious?

[Peter K]

You reek of vanilla.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat could see the house cat turning something over in her mind.

[Reginald (Reggie) the Wolf Spider]

Is this the better life? She says. Being out here?

[Rhea Pechter]

Cat sighs and looks up at the clouds. I can't answer that for you.

[Peter K]

All I can say is be grateful.

[Rhea Pechter]

And stay wild in spirit.

[Peter K]

Oh, I've got an email. I think I know what this one is about.

[Rhea Pechter]

Oh yes, it's from the studio. Spiders.

[Peter K]

Probably pleased with me that I included a spider with a laptop.

[Rhea Pechter]

Okay, let's see. Dear Rhea, how could you? Wait, what?

[Peter K]

How could you? Wolf spiders do not use laptops.

[Rhea Pechter]

They are well known to be critical of new technology.

[Peter K]

They use typewriters. Everyone knows this, except apparently you.

[Rhea Pechter]

Luckily for you, because they do not use digital products. It is highly unlikely any wolf spiders.

[Peter K]

Will hear this story, but we will.

[Rhea Pechter]

Tell them about it because how could we not? You will undoubtedly receive a slew of.

[Peter K]

Angry typewritten letters delivered to your you know what.

[Rhea Pechter]

All right, I think we get the point, but let's skip to the end here. Blah blah blah. Sincerely and with great disappointment, the Studio.

[Peter K]

Spider and Beetle Guild well, thank you for these corrections. I just want to emphasize that these stories are fiction. They're imaginary, full of spiders and all.

[Rhea Pechter]

I see you glaring at me. Maybe I need to get a new email address.

[Peter K]

Anyway, I hope you loved this story. It was a challenge to finish, but I'm so glad I did.

[Rhea Pechter]

Someday you may decide to go off into the world to find something, whatever.

[Peter K]

You are looking for, your life's purpose.

[Rhea Pechter]

An answer to a big question, the perfect lightweight jacket.

[Peter K]

Whatever it is, I hope you find.

[Rhea Pechter]

It, even if you end up back where you started. Little Stories for Tiny People is written, performed and produced by me, Rhea Pechter.

[Peter K]

Peter K runs my website and puts my stories on the Internet for all.

[Rhea Pechter]

Of you to enjoy.

[Peter K]

Big thanks to the listeners who provided sound effects used in this story. Thank you to Simone, Cassie, Shay, Nora, Aubrey, Ivy, Alon and Ty. And a big thanks to Emily for providing this super important reminder message at the beginning. I also just want to say I am blown away by all of your kindness, your encouragement and your appreciation for my work. I truly have the best audience ever. And if you are so inclined, please share this story with all self professed cat ladies in your life, all chipmunk guards and your friends, both with and without cat allergies. They just might need a good story these days. And thank you as always for listening in.