Читать книгу Dougal's Diary - David Greagg - Страница 59

Man was away a lot today and kept coming in with big packages. We tried to play with them, but I don't think they were for us. Then he'd go out again and get more packages. I really don't know what's happening today, but Shadow and I played a lot anyway and we spent a lot of time on the Cat Castle. She likes to hide inside the crinkly bit and lie very still and when I put my head in the other end she jumps at me and we fight inside the tunnel. It's great!

Man actually opened the door for a little while to let us see out. He had this big wire thing in the way so we couldn't get out, but we had a long look at the next room. Shadow was more sensible than I thought she'd be. She didn't hurl herself at the wire and try to escape or anything silly like that.

The next room was really exciting to look at. It's got the same weird floors as our room but there is a huge bed there and lots of pillows and soft things. And there are big tall things filled with what looks like paper. Shadow sat next to me and sniffed at the wire and I told her not to worry. They'll let us out tomorrow and we can explore the new room.

Then Woman came and spoke softly to us while we were looking and I think she was telling us we were being Good Cats. The other new thing today was that Man put somebody really big and furry on our bed. Shadow looked at it and went all tense like it was a Fierce Animal, but I told her not to worry. It's got four paws and a big black nose and two brown eyes and there's something droopy about its mouth. And it doesn't have a lot to say, so I think it's a teddy bear.

What's a teddy bear? she asked. My old humans had one, I told her. This one was pretty old and had bits of her fur missing, but she was a really big teddy and I thought she was great. Man really does love us, I told Shadow. See, he probably thinks we miss our mums, so he's given us this big furry bear to cuddle. Yes, but is it alive? she wanted to know. What do you think? I said. It smells of human! she said. And I said, Yes, you're right. Can't you tell it smells of Man?

Yes, all right, I believe you, she said. But what are we supposed to do with it? I don't know about you, I said, but I'm going to snuggle it. I've been through a lot since I last saw my mum and I want to pretend I'm back with Mum again. So Shadow watched me while I kneaded the teddy's fur with my claws and suckled at her. She came a bit closer and wanted to know if she could do it too. I was going to tell her to find her own bear, but there really was enough bear for both of us. So we both cuddled Teddy and felt better about life.

Then Man came into the room and scared us by pointing a little silver box at us, which made a bright flash of light. He keeps doing this occasionally and I've got used to it, but I wish he wouldn't.