Agitated part 2

In our last story, Springer the kitten had an issue with becoming agitated easily. She ran away from her family and ended up in a tree in the dark. Springer was one of four kittens born to a house cat. They never went out doors. Outside was new and frightening to Springer. She heard noises and the wind ruffled her fur for the first time. You can catch the first part of our story and how she got outside: Agitated

The wind howled through the tree. She shivered as the wind pushed her fur backwards. She became frightened from the sounds. Not knowing which way to watch, she wished she had eyes in the back of her head. She sensed that no matter which way she faced she would be attacked from behind.

Springer discovered she could not change the wind or the sounds in the dark by arching her back or flicking her tail. Her agitation didn’t stop her problems. The agitation only made her more uncomfortable.

What was that?

From behind her came a rustling noise and it wasn't the wind. Her hair stood up as she turned to look over her shoulder. A bird dove at her almost knocking her off the branch. Right after the attack a squirrel jumped her. They fell to the ground. Like most cats, she landed on her feet. The squirrel wasn't so lucky—it sprawled flat under Springer’s paw.

“Why are you attacking me?” Springer hissed.

“That’s our tree where we have our home. We were here first!” said the squirrel.

“I'm not planning on staying—just sitting for a while.”

“Let me go!” said the squirrel.

“I will after you promise not to attack me again. Why didn’t you talk to me instead of trying to hurt me?”

“You don’t belong here. We haven't seen you before. The bird is Jay, and her babies are in her nest. I have… well, I don’t want you here. So, we worked together. Now, let me up!”

“Promise you won’t attack?”

“Promise. Where did you come from anyway?”

“I live in the yellow house. I got upset and ran up the tree.”

“You don’t want Jay’s babies and my food?”

 “No.”

“Well alright. I'm sorry we attacked you. Cat, you can stay the night if you’d like.”

"My name's Springer."

"I'm Chester."

They both climbed up the tree. The squirrel explained things to Jay, the bird. Jay didn’t bother her again.

Springer spent a sleepless night in the tree, thinking how she had been acting—allowing others to agitate her. She’d let circumstances and kittens she loved make her feel agitated, aggravated, and annoyed. She decided if she made it through this nigh, she would try her best to be peaceful and calm.

In the morning, Springer stretched and yawned. “Thanks for letting me stay here. I needed time to think. I miss my family and comfy bed. I’ll be going home now and I probably won’t see you again. The people don’t let us out. Somehow, the door was open and I snuck out.”

The squirrel said, “Well if you get out again, you’re always welcome in our tree.”

“Bark, Bark, Bark!”

Springer looked across the yard and a dog came running out of the house. Springer sprung up and onto the fence, sprinted over to the house with the dog in pursuit. She was never so glad a fence separated her from the creature.

To her amazement, the dog tried to climb over! "Bark, Bark, Bark, Grrr Bark!"

 

“Meow! Meow! She said as she backed up toward to door. “Meow!”

The door opened and in she ran. She didn’t stop until she buried herself under a blanket. She had never been so frightened!

Eva, her mom calmed her down with a promise the door was closed and the dog couldn’t get her. Eva coxed Springer out from under the blanket with a promise of warm milk. Sure enough—a bowl of warm milk sat next to her regular food. She gorged on the milk and food and thought it the best meal she had ever had.

Springer told her adventure to her family. Eva giggled. “Imagine a bird going after a cat! Cats normally chase after birds. It’s amazing what we will do when we are frightened, angry, or agitated.”

“Um, yeah, I meant to talk to you about that too.” said Springer. “I’m sorry I got so upset and agitated with all of you. You didn’t do anything on purpose. You were just being, well, kittens. I put my feelings before you. It was wrong. Sitting up in the tree, I missed snuggling and playing with you. Please forgive me?”

“Oh, Springer we forgive you. We weren’t angry with you to begin with. We're glad to have you safe here with us.” said Eva.

“We forgive you too.” said Alfie.

With a sly smile, Pixie clawed her ear. Tripp grabbed her tail. Before you knew it, Alfie jumped at them and the four were in a wrestling furry ball.

Do you let things bother you? Are you quick to get upset over situations or things people do? The Lord doesn’t want us to live that way. He wants us to rest in His peace. We should live our lives in peace with each other. When we do, we feel better and people around us appreciate it too. People are drawn to peaceful loving people. Peaceful is the opposite of agitation. Springer’s agitated spirit made life difficult for her and those around her.

Memorize one or both of these verses: Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated.