Family Fairy

Have you got a Family Fairy?

We have one. I didn't realise we had one, until our pets started acting
strangely. What happened was that we had a visit from a cat called
'Watson'. He used to live with a neighbour nearby, but had left them
and went to live at another house several streets away. I suspect he
did this because he got more attention from his new family than his
first family. His previous family were out at work every day and only
gave him a fuss when they came home in the evening..

Our pet cat, 'Davie', used to get on well with 'Watson', when they were
kittens, but now he wasn't so friendly when 'Watson' came visiting
again.

My wife said "His folks must be on holiday and he must be hungry,
otherwise he wouldn't have come visiting. I'll give him one of our cats
treats and see if that's what he wants." So we greeted 'Watson', gave
him a little cat food and stroked his ginger and white back until he
purred. Meanwhile, our 'Davie' waited patiently until we had finished
fussing 'Watson' and watched him eat something. Then he walked towards
him as if to say "That's enough, on your way!"

At this 'Watson' turned and walked smartly down the garden path and out
into the back lane we have behind the house.

I was puzzled as to how 'Watson' had found his way back to a old haunt
of his after several years and why 'Davie' hadn't immediately given him
the usual chase which other visiting cats get, when they visit.

And then it dawned on me. The family he is now with have a large house
and I suspect they have a Family Fairy too. They come from a part of
the world that believes in Fairies.

You are curious?

Well, I come from a different country from 'Watson''s family, but the
supernatural there wass also regarded as a normal part of life when I
was growing up. It wasn't difficult for me to understand why Watson had
come to see us..

You see, each family has a fairy attached to them. It is there to help
with various family duties. These are mainly concerned with looking
after the family pets, who rely on being cared for by the family while
they carry out their duties of guard dog or cat companion.

When 'Watson' came visiting, this was because his family were away on
holiday and he wasn't getting the attention he was used to. As a
result, his Family Fairy had guided his paws to our house, where the
fairy knew he would get some attention.

What that fairy hadn't considered was that we also have a Family Fairy
and (as everyone knows), fairies can be jealous of each other. So, when
our 'Davie's fairy saw that the 'Watson' fairy had come with him, that
was it! Right away, 'Davie' was asked to see the other cat off the
premises, which he did gingerly. I suspect he remembered having fun
with 'Watson' when they were young, but our Family Fairy was jealous of
Watson's fairy and he wanted 'Davie' to chase him away.

'Watson' came to our back door again today. I hope that doesn't mean he
has left his other home and isn't going back. We haven't got room for
two Family Fairies!

567 words The End