Gabriel's Tale - Chapter 11: How Can This Be?

Chapter 11 – How Can This Be?

                                                     

Poetry was really missing Gabriel.  It was early Spring now in Scotland and her heart was sad because she worried about her friend.  She hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye to him.  She knew he’d be gone by now, but what about next winter?  The three little boys wouldn’t be there to bring Gabriel back.  Was he lost to her forever?  She’d heard the little boys complain that it hardly ever snowed in Edinburgh and then only an inch or two when it did.

She lay awake a long time each night remembering their times together.  She loved telling Gabriel about the neighborhood—about the world outside their yard—the places she’d visited with her family.  Gabriel always listened and commented and always had more questions than she could answer.  She longed to be able to tell Gabriel about her new life in Scotland.

Then one night she got a funny feeling.  Maybe she’d fallen asleep and had been dreaming.  She wasn’t sure, but she felt as though Gabriel was near and she should go look for him.  She jumped onto the windowsill to peer out onto the moonlit street and was surprised to see snow falling gently to the ground.  Is this a sign?  Should I go looking for Gabriel?  Is he here? 

Poetry began pacing back and forth.  An excitement came over her.  Her heart fluttered.  Yes!  She was sure she must go—but where?  And how?  How do I get out?  It was the middle of the night.  Everyone was in bed.  The doors were locked.  The chimney!  Of course!  The chimney is the way out!

Poetry calmed herself enough so that she wouldn’t make any noise as she padded down the stairs to the library with the fireplace that had the largest chimney.  She stood up and hoisted herself up onto the ledge then found the chimney sweep rungs and carefully climbed to the top.  From the roof it would be easy to reach the old oak tree and climb down to the ground.  By morning her tracks would be covered and no one would be the wiser.  They’d just think she was hiding under one of the beds for a longer nap than usual.

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Gabriel found a large bush in the city park under which to dig a cozy spot for the night.  He’d wait until daylight to resume his search.  The light snow had stopped now, but it brought back memories of his former life as a Snowman and how much he enjoyed the new coat a fresh snow would bring for him, and how Poetry would come out the next morning and prance all around him.  Poetry….he thought, as he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning the first thing Gabriel saw when he came out from under the bush was the “Lost Cat” flyer tacked to the pole.  While he couldn’t read it he could see it was a picture of a Calico cat.  It reminded him so much of Poetry that he felt sad again, wondering if he’d ever find her.  Just then a black cat was crossing the street across the way.  It stopped and stared at him.  Uh-oh, Gabriel thought, I’d better skedaddle.  That cat looks like it doesn’t think I belong here.  He decided the best course was to run in the opposite direction while he had the lead.

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It was the second morning away from home and Poetry stood in the street looking across the park at a little white dog that looked most peculiar.  She didn’t know why, but she felt she knew him from somewhere.  But then it suddenly turned and ran off.  She began following the little white dog and calling for it to “Wait!”  After running a bit Poetry had to slow down.  She was winded.  As she slowed she caught sight of her reflection in a store window and stopped in her tracks.

A black cat was starring back at her.  That’s me!  She was covered in soot from the chimney.  Maybe that is what scared off that little white dog.  Poetry turned back toward the park.  She knew of a pond where she could bathe.

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Gabriel ran out of the park and onto a side street.  He turned into the first alley he found.   Maybe the black cat won’t follow, but just in case, thought Gabriel, I should keep moving.  And so he did, only he ended up back at the park when he emerged from the side street he’d turned down.  Just at that moment a Calico cat came around the corner.  Gabriel stared at her.  She stared at him.  “Po…Poetry?” Gabriel stammered.

Poetry looked at the little white dog.  “How can this be?  You sound like my best friend Gabriel, but he’s a Snowman!”

“Poetry!” Gabriel exclaimed.  “It is me, Gabriel.  Can’t you see?!”  He pranced around her like she used to do around him, laughing till tears flowed down his face.  Poetry just stood there, her mouth agape.  “It is you!  But ho….how?  How did you come to be a little white dog and how did you get all the way here and how did you ever find me?!”  Once Gabriel finally settled down he explained everything to Poetry.   Then they thought of a clever way for Gabriel to come live at Poetry’s house.

©CathyGilleylenSchultz

Chapter 12:  The Happily Ever After