Hanna Leonenko, 9 years old

A Tale About How the Cat Made Friends With the Cloud

First Day

One day the little white cat  was let out  for a walk. For the first time he saw the yard and the little clouds in the sky.

–Are you a cat the same as me? –The cat asked the little white Cloud.

–If I wish, I can be a cat, – answered the cloud, and became a little kitten.

–And can you be a horse?

The Cloud turned into a horse and said:

–Let’s go for a ride! – and they flew into the sky. After some time Cloud heard someone snoring. “The Cat fell asleep”, thought the Cloud and turned into a big warm blanket for her new friend.

Second Day

The next day, when the Cat went for a walk again, he spotted a little gray mouse and tried to catch it. He jumped and grabbed it with his paws…

But only a little cloud flew from between his claws, laughing:

–I am not a real mouse!

All day long the friends played the Cat-and-Mouse game. They had so much fun!

Third Day

The next morning brought an unpleasant surprise for the Cat – there were no clouds in the sky! He was so sad that he began to cry. Suddenly Cat heard someone buzzing in the bushes. And he saw a little bee on the nice flower.

–So that’s where you are! – said the cat, cheered up.

–Are we friends? – asked the bee unfriendly.

–Aren’t you the Cloud?

–Me? – questioned  the Bee, – Of course not! Don’t bother me while I am gathering the nectar!

So this day the Cat didn’t meet his new friend.

Fourth Day

In the morning the Cat was awakened by some quiet sounds – the rain drops were knocking on the window. That’s why the Cat  wasn’t let outdoors. He jumped on the windowsill and watched the big dark clouds covering the sky and, it seemed, was looking into the window. Cat, of course, didn’t recognize his friend…

But the rain will end some time – and the white clouds will appear again!

Translated by Victoria Popova and Scott Phillips