In a small village on the edge of a forest lived a cat named Murka. She was grey with bright stripes on her sides and white paws, as if she were wearing slippers.
Murka had five kittens. Four were just as grey and beautiful as she was, but the fifth was black as coal with green eyes.
Murka's owner named the kitten Blackie. All of his brothers were taken away, but Blackie didn't appeal to anyone.
One night the kitten couldn't fall asleep for a long time and began to mew sadly:
Meow, mum, meow, how will I live? I'm so ugly and nobody needs me. I'm so unhappy…
The cat comforted her little one as best she could. She licked his fur, saying:
Happiness doesn't lie in beauty, little one. Grow up to be kind, hardworking, brave, and do good deeds. Then happiness and joy will come to you on their own.
But how should I work, what should I do? I can't do anything.
Murka answered the kitten kindly but with expert knowledge:
We cats are needed in the village to protect homes from mice. If you do these simple duties well, you'll always be needed by everyone.
Then Blackie said very firmly and with confidence beyond his years:
Meow, mum! I give you my word, meow-word, that I'll learn to catch mice better than all the cats in our village. You'll never be ashamed of me! I'll be your pride!
Murka, already falling asleep and squinting her eyes, purred back barely audibly:
We'll see. Sleep, little one. You need to build up your strength. You're still too small.
Blackie talked about many things with his mum in the evenings, but he always remembered the promise he'd made to her.
Nearly a year passed, and no one had taken Blackie away. During this time he'd grown and strengthened, and learned to catch mice. His owner, Aunt Masha, really liked this. She poured more milk into his bowl more often and threw him tasty treats.
Blackie had already got used to being different from everyone else, but people's attitude towards him upset him greatly. Whoever met him would try to chase him away or hurry past him without letting him go first. Some even spat in his direction, muttering something.
One evening Blackie decided to take a walk through the village. Some mischievous boys saw the cat and chased him. Blackie had no choice but to jump into someone else's yard. He burrowed into the hay in the cowshed and stayed still. After a while the cat got braver and decided to look around. Next to him stood a familiar cow named Rusty, who returned home from pasture every evening past Aunt Masha's house.
Rusty was looking out the window and waiting for the evening milking. Noticing that Blackie had climbed out of the haystack, the cow lowed:
Moo-moo-moo, I haven't seen you here before. Where are you from, looking so frightened?
Blackie realised that no one would hurt him here and, getting braver, told her about the reason for his unexpected visit.
Moo-moo-moo, ― lowed Rusty, ― I've known those boys for a long time, they scare all the animals around with their stomping, but they don't mean any harm. And I thought it was the mice from the forest again, rustling in the hay. They're driving me mad, the rascals! They don't let me sleep at night, they get everywhere, looking for something. They've gnawed through everything, even the broom! They're nothing but trouble for the owners!
Blackie shook off the straw and declared proudly:
Well, I happen to catch mice better than anyone! If I want to, I can get them out of here in one night!
Rusty looked at Blackie in surprise and lowed slowly:
Mooooo! You, little cat, seem to be quite a boaster! But if you really do chase the mice away from our yard, then you and I will be great friends. For such a good deed I'll treat you to delicious fresh milk every day. Come on, I'll pour some in your bowl, try it.
No, Rusty, I have to do the job first, ― answered Blackie, ― and then I won't refuse the milk. I do love fresh milk. But now I need to get home. Mum's waiting for me. I'll definitely come back towards evening. Watch out, mice!
Blackie ran home to his mum and began to eagerly tell her about his adventure and about the promise he'd made to Rusty. Mum scolded him for boasting before doing the deed, and gave him advice:
When you're catching mice, don't think about the milk. And if you think about the reward, the mice won't run away, they'll outsmart you. Mice should be afraid of us cats. Remember that!
It got dark, and Blackie set off to hunt. He spent the whole night so cleverly and swiftly chasing mice that by morning he didn't have the strength to reach his own yard. The kitten fell asleep on the hay next to Rusty.
In the morning the owner came into the cowshed to milk Rusty and lead her to the herd. She saw Blackie sleeping on the hay and said:
What a good cat! I heard you hunting here. It's early morning and not a single mouse is scratching in the corners. Now I'll pour you some milk, have a bite. You've earned it! Well done!
Blackie shyly approached the bowl. The owner petted him and looked into his eyes:
Would you like to stay with us, green-eyed one? We'd be delighted!
Purrrrr… Thank you for the treat and the invitation. I'll go home to my mum, but I'll definitely come and visit you. There won't be a single mouse here!
…With a feeling of enormous joy and happiness, Blackie ran towards his home.
Illustration design: Marchenko Margarita Sergeevna.
