Mom's fluffy kitten surprise changed his life

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. It turned out to be the best surprise ever.

On a late summer evening in September, one Friday night I was playing tag with my friend. I love running around and having fun. It started getting late, and I knew it was time for me to go home. I remember it seemed to take forever walking home.

When I got home, my mother was there as I walked in the house. At first, I thought I was in trouble for some reason, but she said, “I have a surprise for you.” I was very excited and couldn’t wait to find out what it was.

She said she found a kitten under the garbage pails in our backyard. The kitten was so cute and cuddly. She was black and white and looked so beautiful. All I wanted to do was hold her in my hand. I couldn’t wait to take her outside to play with her.

My mom let me hold her. It felt like feathers from a pillow, she was so fluffy. I remember holding her in the palm of my hand, as she was so little. I knew right then and there, I had to keep her. First thing I did was name her. I named her Mittens because it looked like she had mittens on her feet.

Once I named her, I knew she was mine and that I had to take good care of her. I made her a bed out of a tiny box and gave her food and water. Over the next few weeks she became my best friend.

Every day I can’t wait to come home and see and play with her. She is the most lovable cat, and I love to play with her every day. My favorite thing to play with her is throwing the ball with her. It just goes to show you that you never know when you are going to find your best friend. I feel great that I rescued her.

April Mindlin’s fifth-grade class, Jericho Elementary School, Centereach