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It was a calm, cool, breezy night. The moon hung low and was full, creating a silvery glow over the garden. Mini sat by the open window, her beautifully trimmed hair illuminated in the garden. Surrounding her, the world was quiet, and I’m sure you wouldn’t be able to hear a pin drop in the silence. There was the occasional sound of rustling leaves and the chirping of birds, but other than that, there was silence.
Occasionally Mini had a deep bellowing sound churn in her tummy, but did nothing about it. Today though she decided to let out a few meows. Closing her eyes, Mini let out a few soft meows and what came out of her mouth was so musical she was stunned!
She tried it again, but this time, she did so cautiously and slowly, as if she were testing the waters. “Meow… meow, meow” What came out, however, was so different. High-pitched and musical, she heard what came out and was in total disbelief. Mini’s ears perked up and there was a smile across her face, “How beautiful I sound” she let out with a few purrs.
She tried again, this time with a lot more confidence and her meow floated out into the night; rising and falling as if this tune was always inside her; just waiting to emerge!
Sprawled on the rug nearby, Bunty lifted her head, “What’s that sound?” blinking in confusion. Mini turned to her with her whiskers twitching, “I think that was me!” “I think I can sing.” Babli, who had been lazily chasing a fly, suddenly stopped and surprisingly said, “Do you mean sing like how the humans do? With her eyes wide open?
“Sing”, came a booming and thunderous voice as Prince Goldie, too, joined in the conversation as he peered down at Mini with an intrigued expression. “Let’s hear it then. Mini. We want to hear you sing if you can!”.
Sensing the pressure of three pairs of piercing eyeballs fixedly gazing at her, Mini let out a few more meows – a series of melodic tunes that blended seamlessly with the soft night.
“Meow, Meow, meow, meow” All three cats were stunned with awe and disbelief at how their once not-so-melodic friend Mini was now churning out one tune after the other, in front of them.
Bunty’s ears twitched with the rhythm and Babli’s tail twitched and swayed to the melodic sound. Prince Goldie leaned forward with his amber eyes sparkling in an ever so dignified manner.
“Mini, you are incredible” exclaimed Babli. The other two nodded and as if in unison they all three said, “This needs to be shared with the world!” “The world”? Mini exclaimed as she tilted her head. “Who is this world that we are talking about?”
Goldie nodded and pompously paced the floor. “Indeed, your voice is unlike anything that I have heard before!” We must share this gift of yours, this secret talent”
Bunty joined in, “At least the world in the garden, at least” with a grin. Before she knew it her friends began to make extravagant plans of her performing under the moonlight serenade for the neighbourhood!
The next night, as the moon was high in the sky, Mini took her place on the garden fence. Prince Goldie had announced her arrival to the neighbourhood, and some neighbourhood animals had assembled close by to watch. Bunty and Babli were also excellent at spreading the word to the nearby animals.
Soon there was a small crowd of local critters – cats, dogs and even a few birds who had gathered to watch below the moonlight.
Taking a deep breath, Mini was beyond excited. She began to sing as her meows automatically turned into melodic harmony in the night. Her voice filled the garden with melodic harmonies as it weaved through the air. Even the crickets paused their chirping just to listen and the rustling leaves seemed to stop their noise to hear this melody.
Babli began to tap her paws, Bunty added a playful chirrup or two and Prince Goldie added a deep bass hum. Suddenly there was an orchestra of beautiful music that could be heard. It seemed as if the garden was now a magical concert hall!
As soon as the song ended, Mini felt her chest well up in warmth. She smiled her shy smile and her beam was unanimous as Bunty< Bali and Prince Goldie joined in. They all looked up at the moonlight which seemed to shine even brighter than before and the stars twinkled up above.
It was from that night onwards that Mini became well-known as the Moonlight Singer. Her voice brought peace to the garden and magic to every creature in the garden. Bunty, Babli and Prince Goldie also joined in with Mini-in songs at intervals.
While Mini ALWAYS sang for others, she knew deep down that her biggest fan was always the moon itself!
