Buying their own home was a long-awaited and significant event for the entire large family of a girl named Miranda. When they first entered their new place, they found a note on the table. It was titled “How to Behave with the Old Cat that Lives Near the House.”
The note was written by the previous owners of the house. They explained that for the past ten years, a cat had frequently come to their home. He was very skittish and unfriendly, but they still fed him. They tried to catch him and take him inside, but he never allowed himself to be caught and wouldn’t let anyone near him; at the slightest movement towards him, he would run away. The previous owners asked the new residents to continue feeding the old cat if possible because, although he was a stray, this was his “dining spot,” a place where he could always find food. They detailed where to place the cat’s dish, what he liked to eat, and what he wouldn’t touch.
Fortunately, the new homeowners were cat lovers themselves—they had five cats, four of which were rescued from the streets. So, they smiled at the note and decided to help the stray. Then, something flickered in the window—it turned out to be the very same cat, sitting and observing the new family. It seemed he had come to introduce himself. The family tried to move quietly so as not to scare him, knowing that this first encounter was crucial.
After a little “staring contest,” the cat left, and the new owners immediately brought out some food, following the instructions in the note. Soon, the furry visitor returned and ate the treat. Days and weeks passed, and the cat continued to appear at the house and then disappear again.
Miranda set herself the goal of eventually catching the cat and giving him a real home. Gra dually, she made progress. If before the cat would run away as soon as anyone took a few steps toward him, now he allowed them to stand on the same porch with him, though at a respectful distance, of course. The girl is confident that one day she will be able to bring him inside and give him the comfortable old age he deserves. Let’s wish her good luck.