The Cat Who Walked By Herself

Hello! Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host Amanda Weldon. Today's story is called The Cat Who Walked By Herself. A story inspired by Regired Kippling, written for you by Daniel Hines. We have stories podcast merch available at storiespodcast.com slash shop. We're also on Camille for all of your personalized video message needs and don't forget to follow us on

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And stories podcast listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today www.IXL.com slash dragon to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Thanks, enjoy the episode! The cat who walked by herself

Once upon a time in the wet and wild woods of Cassie's farm, there came a terrible storm. The rain came down like people pouring buckets. The wind howled like a hungry baby, and the sky was an endless, woolly gray that promised rain, rain, and more rain after that.

Luckily for Cassie, she was snugged as a bug, who were often quite snug in her bedroom in the farmhouse. She was lying on her bed, reading a book, and enjoying the bitter-patter splatter of the rain on her windows.

It's nice to have a rainy day once in a while, she said to herself looking out the window, as long as you have somewhere warm to go. Outside in the cold and lashing rain, there were some animals that would have agreed with her.

You see, Cassie's farm was right up against a huge wild forest with other farms around the far edges. Sometimes animals got wild in the forest there. Some had lived wild for generations.

Others turned back up at farms, but that night, The rain was so bad, even the hardest of the wild animals went looking for dryer ground. The first to turn up was an old dog. Cassie heard him howling outside of her window.

For a minute she thought it was just the wind, but then a few barks got sprinkled in, and she ran to her window. Who's out there in all that rain, she said. Just me, an old dog.

Said the old dog. I'm looking for a dry place to stay. Well, you've come to the right farm, said Cassie. My only rule is everyone has to earn their keep.

Is there something you can do to help? The old dog smiled through his old jowls. Well, I'm not so fast as I was, but my bark says loud as ever. I reckon I could be a good guard dog.

All I'd want is an old bone, and a dry patch on the porch. I can do better than that," said Cassie. I'll be right down. She ran downstairs, stopping only to get an old blanket from the closet,

and threw open the door to see the old dog still standing in the rain. Come on the porch, then, she said, I'll make it ready for you. And Cassie spread out the old blanket to make a new bed for the old dog on the covered porch.

well out of the rain. She left the front door open a crack so he could come in and warm up if he wanted, but he shook his shaggy head. I've always liked the porch best," he said, shaking off the water and then spinning to get comfy on his new bed. Thank you so much. No problem, said Cassie, and she went back upstairs to read.

And in the corner of the yard, unseen by them both, was a little cat, watching everything. She huddled under a little bush, water soaking her silky fur, and she waited. And, well, the storm kept raging. And soon, Cassie heard the old dog barking from out on the porch.

She ran down and threw open the door. What is it, she said? A big pony!" said the dog. I'm a small horse.

Said the small horse, prancing in and out of the dark and rain. My name is Thunder, but uh, right now I'm not loving it. A crash of Thunder split the air, making the horse jump in fright. See?

Oh, you poor thing!" said Cassie. I'm looking for a new place to live, said Thunder. This place seems nice. Do you think I could stay here?

I think so, said Cassie. My only rule is everyone has to earn their keep. Is there something you can do to help? Oh well, said the horse, tossing his mane.

I'm like really fast. I can't carry a ton, but I could definitely carry you. If you let me stay here, we could ride all over. We could ride like lightning and a...

B-b-b. Thunder? Said Cassie? Yeah!

Said Thunder. Cassie laughed and pointed around the back of the house. The stable is back there. Make yourself at home and I'll bring out some fresh oats for you.

That's a deal! Said Thunder, Trotting around the back. Cassie scratched the old dog behind the ears

and then got the horse set with his oats and went back upstairs. Meanwhile, the little cat crept a little closer, watching and listening through the wind and rain. Cassie was just getting into the next chapter of her book

when the old dog started barking again. She ran to the covered porch where the dog was standing, peering into the wet and dark and sniffing at the air. You see something? Cassie asked,

I smell something," said the old dog. Something big. I'm not that big. Came of voice from the Howling Storm.

I'm just a little lost.