Murray was a very contented cat. He lived in a house with two people, a man called Fraser and a lady called Caroline, and he had everything he could wish for. Before he lived here, Murray had been a stray for as long as he could remember, until a kind lady from a cats’ rescue centre found him one day, alone and frightened in the cold, and took him in. Then she set about the business of finding a loving home for him. Murray had been so proud when Caroline and Fraser came to the rescue centre and chose him to come and live with them, that he had barely stopped purring since!

Now he spent his days snoozing in the window, or on the sofa, or anywhere he could curl up in peace and dream the days away. Caroline and Fraser loved him very much. Murray enjoyed sitting on Caroline’s lap and having his head rubbed, and running into the kitchen to eat the delicious food that Fraser always laid out for him. It was such a relief for him, after the life he had spent alone outside.

One day, Caroline and Fraser had a surprise for Murray. Earlier that day, he had noticed Fraser getting the carry-box out of the attic, and at first was worried that maybe he had a visit to the vet coming up. Then Caroline and Fraser went out, taking the box with them, and Murray was so pleased that he didn’t have to go to the vet that he had an extra-long sleep to celebrate.

He woke up later when he heard Caroline and Fraser opening the front door.

“Oh good,” yawned Murray, stretching, “that means it must be time for my dinner.” He walked out into the hall to see Fraser setting the carry box down on the floor.

“Murray, we have a present for you!” said Caroline, bending down and patting Murray’s head. Murray meowed with pleasure. A present! What was it? A new bed, perhaps? Some new brand of cat food?
 
Suddenly, Murray heard a strange mewling sound coming out of the cat box. He looked with uncertainty, first at Caroline, then at Fraser. Cautiously he edged over to the carrier and peeked through the bars. There, curled up inside, was a little black cat, looking very frightened!

“This is Solomon,” said Fraser warmly, “and he’s your new little brother! Why don’t you say hello?”

Murray couldn’t believe it. Another cat! In his house! How dare they? He looked again at the pathetic little creature inside the cat box. Solomon looked straight back at him and blinked.

“H..he..hello, Murray,” said Solomon nervously, “I hope we can be... friends.”

Murray said nothing but stared at the new addition to the family in horror and disbelief. What did this mean? That he would have to share his food and his sleeping spots? No, no, this would never do! Murray arched his back, hissed loudly and stalked away, sulking.

“Oh dear!” cried Caroline, “Murray doesn’t like him! I’d really hoped they would get along!”

Fraser put his arm around her.

“I’m sure they will in time. Murray will just have to get used to Solomon.”

Hearing this, Murray bristled with anger. Why should he have to get used to it? This was his house, after all! He watched from the other side of the room as Caroline gently lifted Solomon out of the carrier. Caroline was cuddling and petting the creature. It seemed she loved Solomon almost as much as she loved Murray! The insulted cat turned his back and stuck his nose in the air indignantly. This wasn’t fair. Not fair at all.

Solomon, meanwhile, was watching bigger cat with awe.

“He’s so handsome and strong!” thought Solomon to himself, “I do hope one day I can be just like him!”

Later on, after Caroline and Fraser had shown Solomon around his new home, the young cat decided it was time to approach his big brother. Murray was still sulking, hiding in the bedroom upstairs where no-one would bother him, when Solomon walked into the room.

“Murray...” began Solomon slowly. Murray stood up quickly and snarled.
“What do you want?” he snapped. Solomon took a few steps backwards and cleared his throat.

“Well, I thought...” he started to say.

“You thought nothing,” hissed Murray threateningly, “Now get out of my sight!”

Solomon’s tail drooped. He decided against saying anything else. This wasn’t a very nice place for him! He liked Caroline and Fraser – they seemed very kind – but he wished Murray would be kind, too. As he crept out of the room, Murray stared after him, a million thoughts running through his head.

Meanwhile, Fraser and Caroline were downstairs discussing what to do.

“Maybe Murray thinks we don’t love him anymore,” said Caroline sadly.

“Then why don’t you go upstairs and see that he’s alright?” suggested Fraser, “He needs to realise that Solomon is not a threat.”

So Caroline made her way upstairs and into the bedroom to find Murray. As she entered, Murray turned away from her. Caroline sat down on the bed and reached out her hand.

“Come here, boy,” she said gently. Murray stayed right where he was and stared at her. He did like being stroked by her, but did she deserve it? After bringing that... that thing into his home? Caroline spoke again.

“You’re a very special cat, Murray,” she began, “Do you remember how frightened you were when we first took you in? In a strange house, not knowing what would happen to you?”

Murray did remember, and knew that it was true – he had been nervous and a bit scared. But that wasn’t the point! He moved a little bit closer to Caroline’s hand.

“Solomon is only a baby,” she went on, “it’s up to you to look after him and teach him the things you know.”

All of a sudden, Murray felt quite proud and grown-up. Perhaps he could teach Solomon a thing or too, and make sure he grew into a good cat, like him. Well, not as good as Murray himself, obviously – that would be impossible! As long as the new cat didn’t steal Murray’s food, or his favourite sleeping places. One thing was certain; if Solomon tried any of that nonsense, Murray could soon show him who was in charge around here!

Murray eventually gave in – he couldn’t stay angry at Caroline for long – and jumped onto her lap, allowing her to tickle his chin and ears. He nudged her with this head to say sorry, then decided it was time to find Solomon and talk to him. As he leapt down he looked back at Caroline, and she smiled.

“Good boy, Murray,” she said.

Murray wandered out of the bedroom. He wondered where Solomon could be, and then he remembered that when he first came here, he liked the bathroom, as it was a small room where he could get used to the strange sounds and scents of the house without being disturbed. And sure enough, little Solomon was sitting under the sink, feeling very miserable. When Murray walked into the bathroom, Solomon cowered, afraid that Murray would want to fight him. He couldn’t believe it when Murray sat down and spoke in a very apologetic voice.

“I’m very sorry, Solomon. I shouldn’t have hissed at you. Why don’t you come out of the bathroom and I’ll show you around the rest of the house?”

“Really?” gasped Solomon, his eyes wide with astonishment, “You want to play, with me?”

“A-hem,” Murray replied sternly, “I never said anything about playing. I am simply offering you the courtesy of...” He wasn’t able to finish his sentence, because Solomon jumped on him with all his might!

“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” cried Solomon happily, “We’ll be the best of friends and share absolutely everything! And we can play together and eat together and sleep together! And I will be the best little brother anyone ever had! What game can we play first? Ooh, I know one! Murray? Murray! Where are you going? Is this a game?”

Murray had left the room, wondering what on earth he had just let himself in for...

C. Garlick, Thursday, 4th October 2007 ©