Sophie's Story

By J. Earll

Sophie's Story is a heartwarming tale of adventures, of newly found discoveries, and of how two lives were joined and of their struggle to survive. The story tells of how fate brings newfound friends together, which share in adventures and discoveries as they travel through life and form a bond unlike any they had ever known. Sophie's Story will make you smile and sometimes a little saddened, but in the end, the miracle of love and living wins through.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886547948

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Sophie's Story

J. Earll

Copyright © 2023 J. Earll

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88654-793-1 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88654-794-8 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

INTRO

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

INTRO

I, in my early years, believed that so-called miracles were simply ordinary occurrences that happened at extraordinary moments of time.

I was never one who believed in the tales that some had been visited by angels or of those having been touched by spirits that somehow changed the fate of some inevitable event. It's not that I didn't believe in the miracles of life. It's just, like many others, I was skeptical of the circumstances surrounding most of all those events that some described as miracles from heaven. That was my belief until later in life when I myself witnessed one such occurrence that I couldn't discount as anything but miraculous! Sophie's story is of one such miracle.

Chapter I

My Adventure Begins

Sophie's story begins not unlike many others born into nature's wild. It's early in the month of August, typically a quite warm and dry time of year when the showers from days past had painted the countryside into a portrait of brilliant colors. Abundant everywhere are the signs of nature's never-ending cycle of life, from the rising of brightly colored wildflowers peeking above the tall grasses to the songs sung by the young arrivals that fill the skies. Where the story begins stands alone a faded red barn reminiscent of days long past. Nearby, a cluster of trees stand grouped together, showing leaves of green, their branches filled with fruits of red as they stand ready for harvest. Woven into their strong branches are signs that earlier new life had entered into nature's miracle of life's renewing. The intricate design of twigs and dry grass serves well as a safe haven for those bearing new life.

Below the sea of tall grasses surrounding the old barn, hidden from view, lies another miracle. Early in its beginning and tucked away inside, the remains of a decaying crate of wood provides shelter for four recent newcomers. Snuggled tightly together, they lie basking in the warm rays of the early morning sun. The four kittens lie quietly awaiting the return of their mother, and though left alone only for a short while, they anxiously await her return as they know it would soon be feeding time, for as kittens grow, so does their need for the nourishment a mother provides.

When first awakened, one of the two girl kittens lie silent and remain very still warming herself as the sun peered inside. Her eyes, still young and unfocused, watch through the cracks for the sight of mom returning home. This particular morning when mom returned, nervous and alert, she startles the young brood, who begin to cry and whimper, not from hunger but from sensing an unfamiliar fear in their mother's behavior.

Always before, upon returning from her nightly hunt, she would lie next to us in a calm, loving way as she prepared us for feeding time, but instead, in a stern tone, she instructed us to be very still, then one at a time, gently grabbing us by the scruff of our necks, she began carrying us away one at a time. My eyes not yet focusing clearly, I could see she had moved me to a new place of hiding. Placing me deep inside a pile of dried tree cuttings that smelled of rotting wood, she then returned bringing my brothers and sister to where there was no soft bedding, only a cold, hard place to lie on. Mom began to bathe and calm us as she lay down allowing us to drink the warm milk she carried inside. A short time later, with full bellies, Mom's soothing purring sound soon found us falling asleep. The morning wore on to afternoon when my wakening eyes peered outward to see only unfamiliar sights. The bright light from above shined through, making the cold surface where we lay become very warm. The air, hot and moist, added to the smell from the decaying wood. Mingled within the odor were scents left by others here before us, which gave me an uneasy feeling.

Not long after me, the others began to wake. Unlike mine, their eyes had only begun to open, but even without seeing clearly, they too felt uneasy about our new home. As the light began to dwindle, and the time of the darkness drew near, Mom began preparing us for her time away. She reminded us that while she was away, we must always stay very still and quiet. Left alone that first night, strange noises and shadows filled the air around us. At the next early morning light, Mom crept in to find us all nestling together still in a deep slumber. Mom, well-nourished from a successful night's hunt, knowing we would soon wake, nudged us close to her warm body, positioning us for feeding time. Mom, exhausted from her night-long hunt, closed her eyes to rest while we were still feeding.

While the morning was still young, we began hearing sounds from far off unlike anything we had heard before. In a quiet voice, I called out to Mom, who had just dozed off. Alerted to the sound, she suddenly rose looking for where the strange sounds were coming. Louder and now close by, Mom whispered warnings to us that people were coming. When the voices came very near, Mom leaped out of hiding and in a stern voice called to us to be very still. I will lead them away, and when they have gone, I will return. Huddled tightly together, we awaited the danger to pass and Mom to return.

Our day that had begun secure in mother's care now became frightening as we were all alone. More of the voices came from all around, and strange things were being placed all around us. My sister was first to cry out when a loud rumbling came from below where we lay. We all began to cry out in fear. It felt as if we were moving as the rumblings got louder, and looking outward, I could see the trees slowly

pass by. Faster and faster we moved as the rumblings became a roar, then all around I heard other rumblings. The loud sounds so horrified us we huddled together to shelter against the dirt and leaves swirling all around. Our movement would stop for a short while, then begin again. I began wondering if Mom would ever be able to find us now.

Clinging together for what seemed like forever, my two brothers and sister were feeling weak from hunger and lack of shelter from the heat, just as I was. Knowing little outside of Mother's protection and without her, we were helpless to care for ourselves. I feared we all would soon be in peril.

Light of day fading, finally the loud rumbling noise quieted as we came to a stop. For an instant I thought we were back home and Mom would soon appear to rescue us, then looking outward, I realized we were not home at all but had arrived at a place much different than home. I glanced over to my sister, who now was so weak she couldn't move. My brothers lay limp and quiet, then I started to hear the people nearby, talking and moving about. Though I knew Mom had told us not to, I began to cry out, hoping to get help. Always, Mom had warned us of the four-legged ones that we should never go near but had not yet taught us about people. She did though tell us kits are born with a sense inside which will warn us of those we should never go near as well as of those that we could trust. I could now hear more of the people coming very close.

Suddenly one of them appeared looking down at us. Speaking softly, the giant figure began to clear away the wood and leaves exposing our hiding place. No longer in hiding, we were left in plain view. More people arrived all gazing down at us speaking in sounds I did not understand. One of the onlookers then reached down picking up first my two brothers, then my sister and I, placing us in a small soft container, carrying us away, placing where no light shined in and only darkness surrounded us. Still too young to know of the world in which they were born, the kittens didn't realize their fateful journey had taken them many hours away only to be discovered by some people away on a camping trip far from their home.

Unable to care for the kittens, the people called for help shortly after a park official arrived. The campers explained their discovery to the officer who informed them that since the four kittens had come with them, it was their responsibility to care for them. The official suggested they contact a local shelter but warned that it would be best to return them back home to their mother as it would be very unlikely such young kittens would survive. About an hour later, the officer returned only to find the campers had no success in getting any help locally, leaving the fate of the newborns looking very bleak. Unwilling to just allow the