One day, a dog named Sharik was running along a tall fence that surrounded the zoo. Suddenly, he noticed a small kitten in front of him. It was sitting under the fence and crying softly. Ever since he was a puppy, Sharik had chased little kittens. He would bite their tails or chase them up trees. And every time he met these scrawny, shaggy little bundles, he proudly remembered his accomplishments.
Sharik passes by the sobbing kitten and thinks about whether he should grab the fluffy one by the tail. After all, the kitten is so small that it won't even blink. And for Sharik, the main thing is the chase! Because he only gets pleasure from chasing poor little kittens through alleyways. Sharik is a hunting dog, and the talent of a hunter and provider comes to him from his brave and fierce ancestors.
So Sharik decided to walk past. But then he suddenly heard the kitten crying bitterly.
I can't stand cat tears!
The dog thought to himself.
They become so pitiful when they cry, so defenceless!
And then Sharik decided to find out what had happened to the kitten. Why had he huddled in a corner and was crying so bitterly?
Hey there, little one! What's your name?
Sharik asked the kitten.
My name is Troublemaker!
The little cat purred softly.
What are you doing sitting here and crying? What happened to you?
The dog asked curiously.
I got lost and don't know how to get home,
The kitten answered.
Lost? Well, we'll find your mother in no time, just stop crying. Otherwise I'll start crying too! Tell me, where do you live with your mother?
The dog asked.
We live in the zoo. I just decided to go for a walk for a minute and got lost right away,
Troublemaker answered sadly.
Well, you see, it's not so bad. We already know where you live. So, shall we go look for your mother?
Sharik suggested.
Troublemaker nodded and wiped away his tears. And so Sharik and the kitten set off to search. Making their way through the bushes, they finally reached the large gates of the zoo.
What does your mother look like? There are so many animals here that it will be difficult to guess which one is your mother,
Sharik began to reason.
After thinking for a few minutes, the dog decided to follow the arrow that read "Felines".
And so the dog and kitten approached the first cage, from which a Lynx looked at them intently.
Is this perhaps your mother?
Sharik asked.
No, of course not! This one has tufts on each ear, but my mother doesn't have those,
Troublemaker became upset.
Well then, let's keep looking!
Sharik said confidently.
And now a second cage appeared before the kitten and dog. Through the bars, a huge Tiger looked at them.
Look, this one seems similar, only much bigger than you,
Sharik exclaimed joyfully.
No, this isn't my mother either. She doesn't have stripes like this huge cat,
Troublemaker answered.
Well, I guessed wrong again. Okay, let's continue searching!
Sharik didn't lose hope.
A Leopard greeted the friends in the next cage.
Look, Troublemaker, this one doesn't have stripes. Could this be your mother?
The dog asked hopefully.
No, this one has spots all over its body. My mother definitely doesn't have those,
Troublemaker cried again.
The same misfortune awaited the dog and kitten when they approached the cage with a Cougar. Here too, Troublemaker's mother was not to be found.
Listen, can you at least describe what your mother looks like?
Sharik asked.
My mother is the most beautiful. She's all black, like the night,
Troublemaker answered.
Oh, then I know where she is,
The dog exclaimed.
It's a Panther! Definitely!
And so the puppy and kitten ran to find the cage with the sign "Panther".
There she is, Troublemaker!
The dog said, almost delighted when the right sign was found.
No, it's not her!
The kitten was completely disappointed and began to cry, turning his head away from the cage.
And suddenly, out of nowhere, Troublemaker loudly exclaimed:
There she is, my beloved mother!
A black fluffy cat was walking proudly along the neighbouring path.
But that's just an ordinary cat!
Sharik said in surprise.
This is not an ordinary cat!
Troublemaker protested.
This is my beloved and the best mother in the world!
That's strange, you said you live with her in the zoo. So where is your cage? – the dog wondered.
Yes, that's right. My mother really does live in the zoo. Only not in a cage, but in the director's office.
Then Sharik was even more surprised.
Meanwhile, Troublemaker approached Sharik and licked the dog's cold nose with his warm wet tongue.
Thank you so much, Sharik! Now you're my best friend! I would have been lost without you!
Troublemaker purred sincerely.
The kitten jumped up and ran to his mother. Sharik watched him go and thought: "Now that's news! Just yesterday I was chasing kittens all over town, scaring them and pulling their tails! And today I'm a kitten's best friend! But really, how wonderful that this little eared one found his mother and they're together now. I'll definitely come visit them! After all, we're now true loyal friends!".
