The Feathered Flyer always lays on the foot of the bed ready for the nightly ritual of flying; except when Sheba drags it down the hall. If I even so much as touch the Flyer, the cats materialize and go to their accustomed places for the ritual. Sheba at my feet, Amber on the bed and Djoser on the perch at the foot of the bed.

Then the flying begins. Eyes are alert, whiskers and ears forward as they all focus on the aerial maneuvers. Heads swing and sway and paws flash outward with claws extended and bodies leap up and twist around, then crouch and wiggle tail and haunches to leap again.

Amber being the most athletic, bounds all over the bed to chase it. At one point he was next to the perch as the Flyer swung that way. Djoser flashed his clawed paw out to snag it and missed. But he, ..uh..accidentally slapped Amber right across the face!

Oh, My!! The Flyer was forgotten by all as Time froze for a second or three. Sheba hid under my gown and Djoser's eyes were wide and I swear his mouth was an O as he slowly backed up on the perch. Amber jerked upright with an outraged expression on his face with his ears laid back and eyes spitting fire.

Amber leaped forward and Djoser tumbled backward from the perch, with his claws scrabbling for purchase as he tried to keep from falling and yet trying to run at the same time! Djoser made it to the floor and turned to run just as Amber did his flying fox routine and landed on top of him. For a few seconds there was a black and yellow, squealing fur ball.

Then the black portion streaked for his hideyhole under the TV console. Unfortunately, the yellow portion followed. The TV console emitted squeals and thumps for a few seconds. But Djoser had a good defensive position. Amber finally figured he had taught Djoser a lesson and gave it up.

Djoser and Sheba are Royalty but Amber is The Magician and definitely has the upper hand at ruling the roost. After Amber's outrage cooled, Djoser groveled a bit and was forgiven...until the next time he commits a faux paux.

Copyright © Catherine Jo Sadler
June 25, 2001