Story 14: Reza Shadey, the Influencer Cat
Okay, snuggle down tight, little ones.
One sunny afternoon, Reza Shadey was lounging on the arm of the sofa when his magnificent ears twitched. Mrs Higgins was watching a programme on the telly about people called 'influencers', who achieved fame just by being looked at. To ordinary humans, it was entertainment; to Reza Shadey, it was a blueprint for global domination.
"Fame", he thought, his whiskers quivering with excitement. "Attention? Endless snacks? This is not a job; this is destiny! I am a treasure the world has yet to discover!"
He leapt down, puffed out his chest until he resembled a furry balloon, and made a grand announcement to a nearby ladybird:
"The era of amateur napping is over! Today, I launch Reza Shadey Industries™! My mission: to build a global brand based on my natural magnificence!"
His first official act was to strut into the garden and summon his friends with a commanding yowl. Penelope, Ginger Tom, and little Tiger padded over.
"I am launching a new media venture and require a dedicated team", Reza declared. "Penelope, with your elegant eye, you shall be my Chief Creative Officer. We wouldn't want anyone remembering that... unfortunate yoghurt‑pot incident, would we?"
Penelope lifted her chin. "I accept", she said, "but only if I get proper creative control this time."
Reza nodded grandly, then turned to Ginger Tom. "Tom, old chap, you're Head of Logistics and Props. And we wouldn't want Mrs Higgins to discover who really watered her begonias at midnight, would we?"
Tom gulped. "Right you are", he muttered.
"And Tiger!" Reza finished with a flourish. "You shall be our Junior Intern for Audience Cheerfulness! Your payment? The honour of shaping the future of Reza Shadey Industries™!"
Tiger bounced in delight. "I love cheering! I'm brilliant at cheering!"
The work began at once. Reza directed a series of carefully staged photoshoots.
He posed thoughtfully beside a single daisy. "This one is called — Quiet Brilliance!", he announced.
He stared wistfully at a cloud. "And this one — Deep Thoughts!"
He even balanced a dry biscuit on his nose. "Skill and poise!"
Penelope snapped the photos with Mrs Higgins's old smartphone, adding the occasional artistic sigh. Tom fetched props with a grumble and an increasingly empty stomach. Tiger clapped and chirped, "You look amazing, Reza!"
Reza uploaded the pictures with captions like "Living my most authentic life" and "Another day at the office. #CEO".
A few local cats clicked 'like'. Reza's head swelled to impressive proportions. "I am a rising star!" he purred.
But his team was not impressed. They were tired, bored, and — most importantly — snackless.
"This is all work and no biscuits", Tom grumbled.
Penelope flicked her tail. "His brand is terribly dull. It needs joy. And perhaps a little honesty."
Tiger nodded eagerly. "Let's show everyone the real Reza!"
That night, while CEO Reza was fast asleep on a velvet cushion, the staff staged a gentle but determined coup. They created a new account: 'The Shadey Truth'. Penelope uploaded all the outtakes she had secretly captured.
There was Reza tumbling off the garden wall into a bush.
Reza sliding off the birdbath.
Reza with his head stuck in a crisps packet.
Reza sneezing so hard his whiskers went sideways.
The caption read: "The REAL CEO of Chaos!"
It was an instant hit. Cats from all over the borough adored it.
"This is hilarious!" one wrote.
"At last — authentic content!" said another.
Reza awoke to the sound of giggling. He checked the screen. He saw the embarrassing photos. He saw the comments. His magnificent fur bristled with outrage.
Then... he saw the number of likes. Ten times more than his own page.
His fury melted into a dazzling smile.
He called an emergency meeting by the birdbath.
"My loyal colleagues!" he announced. "Phase Two of my master plan has been a tremendous success! I cleverly allowed these... 'behind‑the‑scenes' moments to be revealed to show my humorous, relatable side. A brilliant strategy, if I do say so myself!"
Before anyone could argue, he took over 'The Shadey Truth' and rebranded it as the "Official Behind‑the‑Scenes Page of Reza Shadey Industries™". He then generously offered his staff a one‑percent share of all future biscuit profits.
Penelope and Tom, completely outsmarted, exchanged a look of utter disbelief. Tiger clapped his paws. "Hooray! Biscuits for everyone!"
Reza curled up in his favourite sunbeam, purring with satisfaction. He hadn't just avoided embarrassment — he had turned it into triumph.
"This was a spectacular success", he mused, licking a paw. "First, the internet. Next… global snack domination."
Night night. Sleep tight.