TRIBUNJATENG.COM – Once upon a time, in a cozy little village surrounded by rolling hills and fragrant meadows, there lived a cat named Oliver.
Oliver was no ordinary cat.
He had soft, velvety fur the color of caramel, and eyes as green as fresh spring leaves.
But what truly made Oliver special was his unusual fondness for mice.
While other cats in the village loved to chase mice, Oliver found them fascinating and friendly.
Oliver lived in a charming little cottage with his human family, the Browns.
The cottage had a lush garden with flowers that bloomed in all the colors of the rainbow, and a big oak tree that stood proudly in the middle.
Beneath the roots of this oak tree was a tiny, magical world where the mice lived.
The mice had built an entire village, complete with little homes, shops, and even a tiny castle.
One breezy evening, Oliver was lounging on the warm stone path in the garden when he heard the faint sound of music.
Curious, he followed the melody, which led him to the base of the oak tree.
As he peered closer, he noticed a tiny door hidden amongst the roots.
With a gentle nudge of his paw, the door creaked open, revealing a wondrous sight.
Inside, the mice were having a grand celebration. Little lanterns hung from the branches, casting a warm glow over the scene.
Mice in colorful clothes danced around, nibbling on bits of cheese and fruit. In the center of it all, on a tiny throne made of acorns and leaves, sat Saskia, the queen of the mice.
She was a petite, delicate mouse with shimmering silver fur and a crown made of tiny, twinkling stars.
Oliver watched in awe, his heart filled with joy at the sight of the happy mice.
Just then, Saskia noticed him. With a graceful leap, she approached Oliver, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Hello there, big cat,” Saskia said with a friendly smile. “What brings you to our celebration?”
Oliver hesitated for a moment, worried that the mice might be afraid of him.
But Saskia’s warm demeanor put him at ease. “Hello, Queen Saskia,” he replied, bowing his head respectfully.
“I heard the music and wanted to see where it was coming from. I promise I mean no harm.”
Saskia’s smile widened. “We welcome all friends here,” she said. “Would you like to join us?”
Oliver’s heart leaped with excitement. “I would love to!” he said, his whiskers twitching with delight.
And so, Oliver joined the mice in their festivities. He danced with them, careful not to step on their tiny paws, and shared stories of his adventures in the village.
The mice, in turn, told him tales of their own, including the time they outsmarted a pesky owl and the great cheese feast of last winter.
As the night wore on, Oliver and Saskia found themselves sitting under the oak tree, gazing at the stars.
“I’ve never met a cat like you,” Saskia said softly. “Most cats chase mice, but you… you’re different.”
Oliver nodded. “I’ve always felt that mice were meant to be friends, not foes,” he said. “I’m glad I found your village. It’s like a hidden treasure.”
Saskia’s eyes glimmered with a mixture of gratitude and admiration. “You have a kind heart, Oliver. We are lucky to have you as a friend.”
From that night on, Oliver and Saskia became the best of friends.
Every evening, Oliver would visit the mice village, bringing with him little gifts like bits of yarn for the mice to play with or pieces of cheese he had saved from his dinner.
In return, the mice shared their stories, songs, and laughter with him.
One sunny morning, as Oliver was making his way to the oak tree, he noticed a commotion in the mice village.
The mice were scurrying around, their tiny faces filled with worry. “What’s wrong?” Oliver asked, his heart pounding with concern.
Saskia rushed to him, her eyes wide with fear. “Oliver, we need your help,” she said urgently. “A group of rats has invaded our village.
They are bigger and stronger than us, and we don’t know how to protect ourselves.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Oliver sprang into action. He followed Saskia to the village, where he saw the rats causing havoc.
They were knocking over houses and stealing food, their beady eyes gleaming with malice.
Oliver stepped forward, his fur bristling with determination. “Leave this village at once,” he commanded, his voice firm and unwavering.
The rats laughed, underestimating the caramel-colored cat. “And what will you do if we don’t?” one of them sneered.
With a swift and graceful movement, Oliver swiped his paw at the closest rat, sending it tumbling backward.
The other rats, seeing their companion defeated, quickly realized they were no match for the brave cat.
With a series of angry squeaks, they fled the village, disappearing into the shadows.
The mice cheered, their tiny voices ringing with joy. “Hooray for Oliver! Our hero!” they shouted, dancing around him in circles.
Saskia approached Oliver, her eyes filled with gratitude. “You saved us,” she said softly. “Thank you, Oliver. We are forever in your debt.”
Oliver smiled, his heart swelling with pride. “That’s what friends are for,” he replied. “I’ll always be here to protect you.”
From that day on, the bond between Oliver and the mice grew even stronger.
The mice built a special house for Oliver at the edge of their village, so he could visit them whenever he wanted.
And every year, on the anniversary of the night they first met, they held a grand celebration in his honor.
As the seasons changed and the years passed, Oliver and Saskia’s friendship remained unwavering.
They shared countless adventures, from exploring hidden tunnels beneath the village to discovering secret gardens filled with rare flowers.
And every night, as the stars twinkled above, they would sit under the oak tree and talk about their dreams and hopes.
One day, as the sun set behind the hills, casting a golden glow over the village, Saskia turned to Oliver with a thoughtful expression.
“Oliver,” she said, her voice gentle, “you have brought so much happiness to our lives. I wish there was a way we could repay you.”
Oliver shook his head, his eyes filled with warmth. “Your friendship is the greatest gift I could ever ask for,” he said.
“Being a part of your world has brought me more joy than I could ever imagine.”
Saskia smiled, her heart filled with affection for her feline friend. “Then let us make a promise,” she said.
“No matter what happens, we will always be there for each other. As long as the stars shine in the sky, our friendship will endure.”
Oliver nodded, his heart brimming with love and gratitude. “I promise,” he said softly.
And so, under the ancient oak tree, with the stars as their witnesses, Oliver and Saskia made a vow of eternal friendship.
It was a bond that no distance or time could ever break, a testament to the power of kindness and understanding.
As the years went by, Oliver continued to be a beloved protector and friend to the mice.
He watched over their village, ensuring their safety and happiness. And in return, the mice filled his life with laughter, love, and countless adventures.
And so, in the cozy little village surrounded by rolling hills and fragrant meadows, the story of Oliver, the cat who loved mice, and Saskia, the queen of the mice, became a cherished legend.
It was a tale that parents told their children, a story of unexpected friendships and the magic that happens when hearts are open and kind.
And every night, as the stars twinkled in the sky, Oliver and Saskia would sit together under the oak tree, their hearts forever linked by the promise they made.
And in the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves, one could almost hear a whispered promise, carried on the wind:
“Forever friends, forever true, Under the stars, just me and you.” (*)
