Story 21: Reza Shadey and the Silly Treat Club
Okay, snuggle down tight, little ones. Tonight's story is about a very fluffy cat... and a very silly club.
One sunny morning, Reza Shadey — the fluffiest cat in the whole street — stretched out on the warm grass like he was the King of Everything.
His big green eyes blinked lazily in the sunshine.
"I am so clever", he purred to himself.
"I should have treats all the time — without even asking! A constant stream of snacks is the very least a cat of my genius deserves."
So he had an idea.
A magnificently mischievous, wonderfully self-serving, very Reza-style idea.
He would launch a premium snack subscription club.
"I call it... the Shadey Premium Treat Club!" he announced to a passing beetle.
"Everyone can join! They simply have to do everything I say. It's flawless."
Reza summoned his friends with an imperious yowl.
First came elegant Penelope, the queen of garden naps.
Then sleepy Ginger Tom, the big softy with the rumbling tummy.
And finally bouncy little Tiger, who was new and full of fizz.
"Join my exclusive Treat Club!" Reza declared, puffing out his magnificent chest.
"You earn Golden Paw Points!"
"Guard my royal nap? Ten points!
Compliment my magnificent whiskers? Twenty points!
Bring me delicious snacks? One hundred points and a bonus nod of approval!"
Penelope tilted her head, her whiskers twitching.
"Another one of your schemes, Rezzi?" she asked.
But she joined anyway, just to see what nonsense would unfold.
Ginger Tom's ears perked up.
"And what do points make?" he rumbled, his stomach already making hopeful gurgling noises.
"Points make PRIZES!" Reza announced grandly.
"Diamond-encrusted milk bowls!
Access to the VIP Sunbeam Lounge!
Shares in my future global snack empire!
And for our top earner..."
He paused dramatically.
"A Forever Fishy Feast!"
Tom was immediately convinced.
Tiger just bounced excitedly.
"Can I get catnip confetti?" he chirped.
"This club has elite vibes!"
And so the Treat Club began.
It was a roaring success...
For its founder.
Reza lounged like a tiny CEO while Tiger fanned him with a large leaf.
He dozed peacefully while Ginger Tom stood guard, bravely batting away a noisy bumblebee that dared to disturb the royal slumber.
Even Penelope was given a task.
"Compose a poem about my brilliance!" Reza commanded.
Penelope sighed.
Then she recited with a perfectly straight face:
"Oh Reza, so clever and grand,
Thinks he bakes cakes with a wave of his hand.
He 'supervises' the flour, he 'inspects' all the cream,
Then steals the best slice... what a magnificent scheme."
Reza beamed with pride.
"Marvellous! A triumph of poetry! Extra points for you, Penelope!"
But after a while, the workers grew restless.
They had fluffed his cushions.
Guarded his naps.
Admired his whiskers until their throats were sore.
Now they wanted their rewards.
"Excuse me, Rezzi", said Penelope calmly.
"I seem to have enough points for my diamond milk bowl. Is it ready for collection?"
Ginger Tom padded forward hopefully.
"And the Forever Fishy Feast? My tummy has been waiting forever."
Reza gulped.
His eyes darted around nervously.
"Ah! An unforeseen supply-chain development!" he announced quickly.
"The diamond milk bowls are... stuck in customs due to a squirrel-related international incident!"
"And the feast is... maturing! For extra flavour!"
He nodded wisely.
"Patience is a virtue."
Then he added brightly:
"If you want more points, you could clean my litter box!"
Penelope narrowed her eyes.
Ginger Tom grumbled.
Tiger, who had been chasing his tail, skidded to a halt.
"Wait a minute..." he said slowly.
"I don't see any prizes."
He looked at the huge pile of treats Reza had been eating.
"I just see Reza with a very full tummy."
"The vibes are totally mid."
The game was up.
A chaotic rebellion erupted!
"SNACK ATTACK!" roared Ginger Tom, launching himself at the treat pile.
Penelope elegantly intercepted a flying biscuit.
Tiger grabbed a piece of cardboard and an old marker pen and quickly made a sign:
NO MORE SILLY CLUBS
Right then and there they formed a new group.
The Fair Furry Friends Club.
The first rule was that everyone got cuddles.
The second rule was that everyone shared the snacks.
Immediately.
Everyone except poor Reza, of course.
He sulked under a rose bush, his tail twitching angrily, watching them laugh and share their treats.
But later that night, after the others had gone to sleep, Reza discovered a single forgotten salmon treat under a leaf.
He munched it thoughtfully.
"Hmph", he muttered.
"The Fair Furry Friends Club is a fundamentally flawed business model."
"All that sharing... there's no profit!"
He sat up proudly.
"Clearly the others didn’t understand the business model."
His eyes twinkled in the moonlight.
"Now... about my next venture..."
And somewhere inside his magnificent, mischievous mind...
A brand new half-baked scheme was already forming.
Night night. Sleep tight.