Well, you'd think that Bella would have learned her lesson yesterday. Not so. To tell the truth, I'm a bit disappointed in her, but, as they say "Genius is on the borderline of Madness". Yep, same time, same channel. Bella got up on the secretary desk, some five feet high, and despite my warnings took the plunge behind it again.

Silence.

Tippy, her brother, was up to the precipice and looking down the chasm at her, somewhat worried. He had a quick look at me with eyes that seemed to say "Oh dear"! With a weary sigh, I put away my morning paper and drink to go and rescue her again. I felt really disappointed with her. Doesn't she know she could be stuck there all day if her loyal can-opener was not around to come to her aid?

A small white ball rolled out from under the desk. Her favorite ball. She pushed it out from it's entrapment. A quiet *mew* followed. At least I know why she made the jump again. She also had enough brains to push it to freedom. But what of her?

Then, all of a sudden a cacophony of sound! Tippy jumped right to the floor, turned and looked. There was Bella, emerging at the top from where she launched! Two white tipped paws only at first, then the whole cat! She made the jump up from a space where she barely had room to stand! So she can get out by herself! Amazed, I watch her daintily jump down to the floor, look up at me with those mischievous eyes, and take off with her ball.

"I MEANT to do that!"

I repeat. Who is smarter than whom?

Copyright © Bill Mason
April 12, 2002