The tale of the Cat that listened

By Terry Whitworth

There are cats that tolerate humans, there are cats that keep well clear of humans, and there are the

very special cats that have the power to really listen. These cats bring happiness to many people, people who are ill or troubled in someway or

other are able to talk to these cats, and by doing so, bring some relief to their troubled lives.

This book is about one such cat, a cat that i know very well, and to have her befriend you is a truly wonderful thing.

The book follows her calling as a listening cat in a Care Home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Whitworth
• Release date: Oct 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215251805

Terry Whitworth

I started writing several years ago, mainly for magazines in England, where I live and work. I enjoyed doing this and when i retired from full time employment, I intended to continue with this. However, my wife suggested I attempt to write a book, this done I published it via Amazon. And I continues to write. I hope you enjoy my books.

Book preview

Dedicated to

My wife Christine,

who provided the idea.

Also, to Waffle and Cookie

who helped me by listening.

© T.P. Whitworth 2022

Index  Page No.

Chapter 1  5

Chapter 2  9

Chapter 3  15

Chapter 4  24

Chapter 5  33

Chapter 6  43

Chapter 7  54

Chapter 8  62

Chapter 9  72

Chapter 10  78

Chapter 11  86

Chapter 12  98

Author`s note.

When my wife first mentioned this idea to me, I wasn`t sure that I wanted to pursue it. But after thinking about it, I realised that listening is what domestic cats do rather well.

After all, how often have I found myself talking to my neighbour`s two cats, who frequent our garden. And often 

(it may be my imagination) they respond in a way that says, yes, they do understand.

And so, this book began to write itself, and the main protagonist, Grace, began to take on a life of her own.

It is a different style of book for me, I hope that you enjoy it.

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T.P. Whitworth

Chapter 1

Horrid Mice

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My owners lived in a comfortable old cottage in the Dorset countryside. I thought that I had a good life ahead of me, the master of the house liked me, and I in turn liked him. As a listening cat, I loved to curl up beside him on the sofa and listen to all that he had to tell me. However, his wife wasn`t so keen and frequently referred to me as a mangy old flea bag. Which I most assuredly am not.

And then, in my first autumn in the cottage with them, we were invaded by those dreadful little furry creatures, mice.

My masters wife then said that she expected me to earn my keep and kill the mice. But she failed to realise that I didn`t like mice and had no intention of catching them.

And that is how I ended up at the Cat Refuge. I had been there for nearly two weeks, when a lady, who happened to be the manager of a local care home, was introduced to me by the refuge`s owner.

Now this one, her name is Grace, is an excellent choice for you. She will make a brilliant mouser and has a very placid temperament.

But of course, she was wrong, as I said I loathe mice, and I don`t want anything to do with the filthy little creatures. But the care home lady took a shine to me and took me back to the `Priory Court Care Home` with her. I was bundled into a cat carrier, and then endured a bumpy ride on the rear seat of her car.

When we reached the home, I was taken indoors and introduced to the staff.

Now listen everyone, her name is Grace, and her prime purpose is to get rid of the mice in the cellar, before the Health Inspector returns.

I was then taken down to the dark, musty cellar and released from the cat carrier. I heard the lady ascend the stairs and close the door behind her.

I lay quietly on the cold, stone floor and started to preen myself after the journey. Then I curled up and settled down for a nap. I certainly had no intention of chasing mangy mice.

My previous owner had been right when he called me a listening cat, for that`s exactly what I am. A cat that you can talk to and likes to listen. Surely that is better than being a mangy mouser, for goodness sake.

I was woken from my nap by a scuttling sound, that was accompanied by squeaks. I knew instantly that I had furry visitors. At first the mice took no notice of me, but I was very annoyed at being woken up in such a manner. However, that`s the thing with mice, they have no manners. So, I went into full, angry cat mode and they instantly pelted away, making for safety in the holes they had chewed through the lower walls.

I very soon found all of their access holes and I left my scent there to warn them off. I also scratched at the rubbish on the floor to try and block them, but that wasn`t very successful. There was no way that I was going to chase them, let alone kill or eat them. No, that wasn`t part of my plan at all.

The following morning, I was let out of the cellar, led to the kitchen, fed, and given a bowl of clean water. After that I was allowed to roam around the large house, making it my territory.

I visited room after empty room, and then I discovered the people.

There were six of them sitting silently in large chairs that looked far from comfortable. Two of the people were men, the other four were elderly women, all of them appeared to be sleeping, even though a TV was on in the corner of the room. The heavy curtains were partially pulled, shading the room from the sunlight. It was dull and gloomy in there, no wonder they were all sleeping.

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Chapter 2

Introductions

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I quietly wandered around the room and studied the sleeping people. It was strange, although they were all asleep, they all looked very sad. I could sense that I had some work to do here, blow the mice, this is where I could really do some good.

As I wandered around I accidentally bumped into an elderly ladies cane, that was propped by the side of her chair. She woke up and spotted me, then smiled. My new job began at that moment.

I jumped up onto her lap and began to settle down. She had a rug over her thin legs, which I proceeded to