Morning
That light feels nice from a distance. She’s stirring in her bed. Oh, maybe I get some food this morning? My mom is easy. She always gives me food when I whack and scream, especially when it’s early.
My cage is nice and soft, though the papers make a ruffling sound when I get hungry and walk towards my bowl of food. It sits right next to the place where I get water. And my hay isn’t that far from it. I’m getting lazy. I don’t like to climb to grab a piece of timothy hay. Maybe she’ll shuffle some around and some will fall to the ground.
Oh wait! Maybe I can whack or scream to make mom wake up and give me more hay. But the sun isn’t so bright. Maybe it’s too early. I’m angry. I’m just going to shuffle my hut around and let it hit the cage to make her stir. I don’t know if it makes her angry or not but I’m hungry!
Boom! Boom! Oh, I hear a grunt. I hear a loud shuffling. I think she’s moving! Oh sweet! Maybe I can get an early snack. Yay! I like those things that are blue and sweet. It takes a long time but maybe she will walk away and get those for me. I miss those things every day. They are so yummy. I think she calls them blueberries.
“Good Morning Rocket”, I hear. She always gets close to my cage. Let me run away. Oh wait! It’s Mom. Well there she goes anyway. She always has to scratch my nose but oh, that feels good. Oh man, that feels good! Oh, she’s scratching my chin. That always makes my foot stomp. Yes! Yes mommy! Don’t stop! Oh wait, she did.
Too much tickling Mom.
I hear the falling of pellets on my bowl. Oh yes, that’s something. But I want those things that are blue. Oh man! Don’t make me angry. You know what happens when I’m angry. Oh, she’s walking away! Oh, let me remind her to get me those things that are blue!
SCREECH!
(five seconds later)
Wow, that felt good. Let’s wait and see if she remembers. But until then, what should I do? Oh, what should I do? Oh, let me rest a little. But first, I’m going to see what’s in my bowl. There’s always those sweet candy things. I like those. That makes me smile. But I want my fruit. Oh, I hear more footsteps. Let me scream! Is it Mom? Maybe it’s the other people. They usually remind her.
SCREECH!
“Hey! Rocket’s calling you”, I hear.
I think they’re talking about me.
“I know. I hear him”, I hear.
Woah, footsteps are coming closer. Let me hide just to make sure I’m safe. But first, I have an itch. It’s probably from all of the hay on the ground. Oh yay! I think she has them. Oh wait, I smell it right in front of my face. She always likes to give me one or two. Oh yes! Oh baby! Give it to me. So good! It’s so squishy and sweet that I love it!
Mm, was that a purr? I didn’t mean it. But I see Mom looking. She always likes to see that smile on my face. I can’t help it. They feel so good in my mouth. They’re always cold. Oh, another nose scratch. Okay, woman, don’t get too carried away. Leave me alone! I’m tired.
Oh. Oh, she gets the hint. Let me check my bowl to see if there’s anything more of those things that are blue. Yes! There are! It’s a happy day. Oh man, they’re passing through. What a sweet sensation. Oh yes! Yay! I’m so happy!
Maybe Mom will sit and talk to me. I think I have some time until then. Until the big meal comes and I’m so full. Most excitement ends after that. Then it’s my hay time. Yes! She just has to make sure there’s some left or I’ll scream! But oh, what do I do? When do I get my bitter greens and orange rocks? I love those spicy things that are somehow sweet. Oh Mom. I love you. But I want my food. Please! I need it! I can’t wait until I get my big meal. It’s one of the happiest times of the day. That’s why I scream.
That’s why I yell. But you don’t listen. You know I’m boss! But hurry up, please! I need them. Oh wait, it’s not time yet. I digress. She usually leaves until then because she knows I’m boss and mom is easy.
Maybe I will just rest until then.
Evening
Oh, I hear footsteps. The vibration of the ground is getting louder. I need to hide. Good thing, I’m in my hut. Oh, they’re getting closer.
BOOM!
I hear the falling of greens and orange rocks. Oh, maybe those spicy things are there. Oh yes! Oh Mom! I love you. I love you; I love you. And I love these greens too. Maybe more. No, not true. Oh yay!
But now, my day is over. Oh, but forget that, I have greens! And they’re all mine. Let me size up how big this pile of food is. But my day is over. Until tomorrow!
THE END
Q. Imagine is the author of The Exhale Chronicles and Eeala And The Water Dragons. She has been featured in a poetry collection titled, The Embrace Of Dawn and has over 500 poems and short stories on the internet via Commaful and Medium. One of her books (Eeala and The Water Dragons) was nominated for the 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards by TCK Publishing. Besides being an author and poet, she is also an aspiring screenwriter. And besides writing, she is an avid gardener, hiker and all around lover of nature and animals.
Her stories can be found on Amazon and on Commaful and Medium (@qimagine).