Shadow

PHOTO PROMPT © Jellico’s Stationhouse

He walked right in, tiny and black. Meowing right and left he greeted my receptionist, the people waiting to see me and strolled on. Never mind appointments.

Dry leaves clung to his ragged fur. He sauntered over to my chair, sat by my feet and looked up at me. I noticed the white under his chin, and on his paws. It was there in that moment, the stray tuxedo chose me to be his owner.

That evening, I wondered what to call him. He lurched and pounced at shadows on the walls. I smiled. It suited him well: Shadow.

99 words

****

The first thing that struck me was the shadows of the image and went with that.

This story is based closely to how my cat adopted me 🙂 Strolling into my office, hungry and dirty. Rosie is now recovering from malnutrition and ringworm infection.  I suspect she spent some time with a stray dog; she chews everything.

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. Thanks to Jellico Stationhouse for the intriguing image. Challenge yourself to write a story in 100 words or less. Click to see more stories here.

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Responses

  1. kittysverses avatar
    kittysverses

    A great read!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      I’m glad you liked it. Thank you for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. kittysverses avatar
        kittysverses

        Welcome! It’s my pleasure.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    Growing up, I had a friend who had a cat named Shadow. I simply loved this piece. Cats have such unique personalities. I know this for I’ve been owned by a cat or two. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Wow what a coincidence! I wish I had named her Shadow, because she follows me everywhere. I love their fussy, holier than thou attitudes. Yet they’re so affectionate. Thank you Rochelle.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Snow's Fissures and Fractures avatar
    Snow’s Fissures and Fractures

    What a lovely story, I think your cat made a wise choice.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Well I think she appreciates the free food at the very least. Thank you for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Clare Hempstead avatar
    Clare Hempstead

    Sweet story 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you Clare. ☺

      Like

      Reply
  5. jellico84 avatar
    jellico84

    Awww, she’s beautiful! Love the direction you chose to take with the photo. Filled me with a smile, and an urge to scratch a feline chin.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      I can understand the urge 😊 thank you for the photo!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. trentpmcd avatar
    trentpmcd

    Very nice story, but I like the real one that it’s based on better for being real 🙂 How did she even know who to go to? Sometimes I think cats (and other animals) have senses that us humans have forgotten….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      That’s quite true Trent. They seem to know things we do not. She knew I couldn’t let a kitten go homeless and later, run over. Tried to look around for nearby owner, but nobody claimed her. Thank you for your comments!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. beautyswot avatar
    beautyswot

    How sweet

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Magaly Guerrero avatar
    Magaly Guerrero

    A wonderful tale of the beginning of a lovely relationship. And it’s yummy because it’s full of truth.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      She’s definitely made our lives brighter. Thank you Magaly!

      Like

      Reply
  9. writelindy avatar
    writelindy

    A story I can relate to. Nice.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you Lindy!

      Like

      Reply
  10. michael1148humphris avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Loved your telling of the arrival of the cat. There is one sat on my knee as I type this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      All good writers need a cat 😊 I’m happy you liked it Michael. Thank you.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  11. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    Loved the first line. That is how cats are, confident in their world.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      I’m glad the cat’s personality traits came through in the story. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Sandra avatar
    Sandra

    Lovely story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you Sandra!

      Like

      Reply
  13. FabricatingFiction avatar
    FabricatingFiction

    I love my cat!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      They make great companions don’t they? Thanks for reading Louise. 😊

      Like

      Reply
  14. Liz Young avatar
    Liz Young

    Lovely story about a delightful cat. We were adopted years ago by a young cat who arrived on our Tenerife terrace with four kittens.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Aww four kittens! Sounds like an amazing story too. Thank you for reading Liz. 😊

      Like

      Reply
  15. Christine Goodnough avatar
    Christine Goodnough

    Glad you two connected. Thatt’s pretty much how we got Pookie too. He just walked in one night.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Seems like it’s true that cats adopt their owners instead of the other way around. 😁

      Like

      Reply
  16. goroyboy avatar
    goroyboy

    Great story:) loved it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you so much😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Rowena avatar
    Rowena

    I love the whole idea of the cat waltzing into your office without an appointment. Such serendipity.
    We adopted our second dog a few years ago. She was two at the time and our Border Collie, Bilbo was 8. I wondered what Bilbo thought of this intruder…whether he’d be pleased to have a young girlfriend turn up or hostile to the intruder. Well, we had a front door dog and a back door dog for two weeks and then they were fine and looked out for each on walks etc.
    Lady was just what Bilbo needed at the time. He was quite overweight and stiff from arthritis and couldn’t get up on our laps anymore. That was why we were getting the second dog. Anyway, he soon lost a lot of weight and regained his mobility and felt much more comfortable with other dogs at the beach. Lady had been living with her dog family so she knew what it was to be a dog and part of a pack and has helped Bilbo fully appreciate what it means to be a dog. It was so meant to be.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      What a heartwarming story! Seems like Bilbo just needed some inspiration to recover his dog traits. And Lady brought so much joy into your home too. Thank you for sharing this lovely story Rowena. Serendipity is right. It has very much felt like fate brought her into our lives too. 😊

      Like

      Reply
  18. neelwritesblog avatar
    neelwritesblog

    I loved this catty story immensely. well written

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you Neel!

      Like

      Reply
  19. yarnspinnerr avatar
    yarnspinnerr

    That is a very ingenious take. Simple and elegant.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Stephanie Pitcher Fishman avatar
    Stephanie Pitcher Fishman

    Such a sweet story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you Stephanie!

      Like

      Reply
  21. Sascha Darlington avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    Lovely read!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Thank you Sascha! glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

      Reply
  22. gahlearner avatar
    gahlearner

    I love this. Such a sweet story and such a cute kitty. Cats know their people. I’m owned by a 17-year-old tabby who belonged to my mother, then my mother in law–I promised them to take care of him if they couldn’t any longer. Sweetest and cleverest cat I ever had, I hope he’ll be around for years to come.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Wow 17 years is a good old age for a cat. I hope he’ll be with you for a few more years too. They really are masters of their own destiny 🙂 Thank you for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. amiewrites74 avatar
    amiewrites74

    Sweet story. And Rosie is adorable!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Isn’t she? Thank you Amie 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. amiewrites74 avatar
        amiewrites74

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Michael Wynn avatar
    Michael Wynn

    Smashing read. I can’t get enough of cats and their antics

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  25. athling2001 avatar
    athling2001

    Great job and what a cute cat.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  26. rgayer55 avatar
    rgayer55

    Cute story, Fatima, and great use of the prompt. I don’t think anyone ever actually owns a cat, but are merely selected to be the cat’s servant. They can be very affectionate–when they choose to be. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar
      Fatima Fakier Deria

      Ha ha! Yes so true. That’s why we love them though. That, and the fact they are the true masters of zen. Always so chilled. Thank you 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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