Story 9: Reza Shadey's Goldfish Grab
Despite Tiger-Lily's sensible reminders about teamwork, Reza Shadey remained convinced he was the true "Boss of the Gardens". Clearly, he simply needed a fresh scheme to prove his royal status.
A grand gesture! What better way than presenting the neighbourhood cats with a glittering prize?
His calculating gaze landed on Mrs Higgins's garden pond, where magnificent goldfish darted about like living, sunken treasure.
"Ah-ha!" he schemed, his green eyes sparkling with cunning. "Those fish would make a truly royal tribute! Penelope and Ginger Tom will simply have to acknowledge my leadership. Perhaps even Tiger will finally be impressed."
Naturally, he pushed aside any memories of his past failed leadership attempts.
As twilight settled over the garden, Reza crept stealthily toward the pond. True stealth, however, is rather difficult for a cat blessed with such magnificent, sweeping fur.
He slowly stretched one paw over the water.
Plink!
A single droplet fell from his fluffy paw, breaking the glassy surface into ripples. The goldfish vanished at once.
"Meeeow!" Reza grumbled. "My own magnificent fur has betrayed me! This is a conspiracy of fluff!"
Clearly, he needed proper equipment. Something professional.
Remembering Mrs Higgins's gardening shed — while conveniently forgetting the last time he had borrowed something red — Reza sneaked inside. Moments later he emerged proudly carrying a bent twig tied with a long strand of colourful tomato yarn.
Behold... his Royal Fishing Rod.
He pictured the moment of triumph: himself presenting a glittering golden fish to the assembled neighbourhood cats.
"Much better than trying to fly", he assured himself, recalling the unfortunate Geranium Incident.
Carefully, he leaned over the pond and dangled the yarn. His extremely fluffy tail twitched with concentration.
Then a mischievous gust of wind puffed his tail straight into the water.
SPLOOOOSH!
Reza yelped as he lost his balance. His paws tangled in the yarn, and he splashed clumsily into the shallow edge of the pond. Cold water splattered across his squishy face.
Soaked, spluttering, and very much not looking royal, he scrambled backwards in panic, dragging his fishing rod behind him.
But instead of a goldfish, the yarn had snagged something else entirely... Mrs Higgins's favourite garden gnome.
Scraaaape — clatter — bump!
The poor gnome skidded noisily across the patio stones.
The dreadful racket soon attracted an audience.
Penelope blinked sleepily. "Mrrrow? Oh, Rezzi... have you started playing with dolls now?"
Ginger Tom chuckled. "Blimey, Reza! Trying to catch dinner again? Looks like you've caught a stony fellow instead! Is that a new kind of biscuit?"
Tiger bounced excitedly from paw to paw. "Wow! A gnome friend! That's amazing! Can I pounce on him? Does he play chase?"
Dripping wet and utterly embarrassed, Reza puffed out his soggy chest.
"Hmph! This was a highly complex, top-secret gnome relocation project", he declared, though his voice wobbled slightly. "I was merely testing its durability and aerodynamic properties. A complete success, obviously."
Just then Mrs Higgins hurried into the garden, shining her torch.
"Reza! What on earth are you doing out here?"
She looked at the soggy cat... the scraped-up gnome... and the tangled fishing contraption.
Then she sighed... and started to chuckle.
"Oh, Reza", she said, wrapping her dripping schemer in a big fluffy towel. "Leave the fish and the gnomes alone, you silly boy."
Back in the pond, the goldfish swam peacefully, unaware of the evening's excitement. The garden gnome looked slightly offended.
And Reza Shadey, warm and dry once again, curled up in his donut bed, dreaming of less watery ways to prove his greatness.
A very important message from Mrs Higgins: Ponds are lovely to look at, but they can be deep. Always make sure a grown-up is with you when you're playing near water.
Night night. Sleep tight.