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Joe loved the forest. Most of all because in Tunis there weren't forests like this one. Big trees that seemed to grow into the sky, leaves that changed colours, and the smell of nature. As usual, Joe found a spot to draw the tree with a hole in it. He had just fished drinking the hot cocoa his mother had made for him when he heard someone cry. Curious he started to follow the noise. He had expected to find a wounded animal, not two children: a boy not much older than he was and a little girl. The boy was trying very hard to comfort the little girl.
"Let's get home and get papa," The boy said as he tried to pull the little girl with him. It seemed like the little girl's crying only increased in strength as the seconds went by.
"Is there something wrong?" Joe wanted to know and the boy looked at him. Joe had never seen eyes that blue before.
"Mr Muffin," The little girl said between crying and sobbing.
Joe looked at the boy for some clarification.
"My sister decided to take the cat on a picnic without telling anyone," The boy said. "And the moment she let the cat out of the bag so to speak, he climbed that tree."
The boy pointed at the tree in front of them. Joe looked up and saw a tabby cat sitting on a branch with a look that said he wasn't planning on coming down any time soon.
"If I hadn't broken my arm, I would have gotten the cat myself," The boy said before he looked at his sister again. "Come Lucia. Let's get home and get papa. He got a ladder."
Lucia didn't move at all. Instead, she sat down, crossed her arms, and looked angry at her brother before she started to cry again.
"I'm not letting Mr Muffin alone," Lucia said. "He could be eaten by a dangerous animal."
The boy sighed very deeply. He didn't know what to do so he looked at Joe to see if he had an idea.
"I could climb the tree," Joe offered.
"That cat only loves Lucia," The boy warned. "I'm pretty sure it's plotting my murder."
Lucia hadn't heard Joe's offer of climbing the tree. She was still crying.
"It can't be that bad," Joe said as he placed a hand on Lucia's head. "Lucia, should I get Mr Muffin for you?"
Lucia stopped crying and looked up at Joe with big eyes.
"Mr Muffin loves this bag," Lucia said as she handed Joe her bag.
"Thanks, it will be very useful," Joe said with a smile before he looked at the boy. "I know you got a broken arm, but could I use your leg as a ladder? I think I can reach the first branch easier."
"Ok," The boy replied. "But that cat is crazy."
"Mr Muffin isn't crazy," Lucia said as she crossed her arms and looked angry at her brother. "Mr Muffin is just misunderstood."
"Yeah, yeah," The boy said as he walked over to the tree with Joe. "Good luck, you're going to need it."
Joe gave the boy a wink before he placed one of his feet on the boy's thigh and yes, Joe was able to pull himself up on the first branch. Then Joe started to climb the tree and when he reached for the branch Mr Muffin was sitting on, Joe took a moment to come up with a plan.
"Hej Mr Muffin," Joe said. The cat hissed at him before turning its back to him. "Don't you want to get down to Lucia? She is very unhappy and is missing you."
Joe opened the bag where he saw some treats. He took one and held it out in front of Mr Muffin. The moment Mr Muffin took the treat, he was fast enough to grab the cat and put it in the bag and closed it quickly, which resulted in the cat starting to move around like crazy, hissing, and making other noises Joe didn't know the name off. He just knew he needed to get down in a hurry and give Lucia the cat.
"One cat," Joe said when he came down again and handed the bag to Lucia, who lit up with a big smile.
"Thanks," Lucia said in a grateful voice. "Mr Muffin haven't I told you..."
"NO, NO, DON'T OPEN THE BAG," Both Joe and the boy said at the same time.
"Why not?" Lucia wanted to know.
"Because you don't want Mr Muffin to climb the tree again," The boy replied. "Let's get home first."
Lucia nodded as he held onto her bag.
"Say thanks to...." The boy said as he realized something and looked at Joe. "I don't know your name."
"Joe," Joe replied. "And you?"
"Nicky," Nicky replied. "Lucia, say thanks to Joe for getting Mr Muffin for you."
Lucia hugged Joe's leg and looked up at him with a smile.
"Thanks for getting Mr Muffin," Lucia said. "Mr Muffin also thanks you."
"Don't mention it," Joe replied. "But promise me, the next time you want to take Mr Muffin on a picnic, you'll do it at home."
"I promise," Lucia replied. "Can you carry me, Nicky? My legs hurt."
Lucia looked with big sad eyes at Nicky.
"Broken arm," Nicky said as he held up his arm. "Come on, we'll be home in ten minutes."
"What way are you going?" Joe wanted to know.
"Down that road behind you," Nicky replied. "Why?"
"If Lucia wants, she can piggy ride on my back," Joe replied. "Then you can take Mr Muffin."
"Great idea," Lucia said before Nicky could say or do anything he was holding the bag with the very angry cat inside.
It didn't take long before they reached the house, Lucia and Nicky were living in.
"Hej mama," Nicky said as he handed the bag to his mother. "Lucia smuggled the killer cat out of the house again."
"Stop calling Mr Muffin that," Lucia said angrily.
"Come on, Lucia," Their mother said. "We need to talk about why you can't take Mr Muffin with you outside."
Nicky then looked at Joe.
"Should we meet tomorrow in the forest?" Nicky wanted to know. "Without the killer cat."
"I would love that," Joe replied. "I'm new here and don't have any friends yet."
"Well," Nicky smirked. "Since we both have survived a meeting with my sister's killer cat, it means we're friends now for life."
Joe laughed which made Nicky laugh.
"I like that. Friends for life," Joe said. "If I bring hot cocoa, do you bring snacks?"
"You got yourself a deal," Nicky replied as he reached his hand out. "Let's shake on it. My papa says people do that when they make a deal."
Joe shook Nicky's hand.
"Should we say 9 AM? Joe wanted to know.
"Yes," Nicky replied. "Then I'll show you the forest."
"I can't wait," Joe replied as they smiled at each other.
They both knew that this was the start of a lifelong friendship.