Story 29: Reza Shadey's Magical Treasure Hunt
Snuggle down, kittens and cubs. It's time to hear how Reza Shadey went looking for treasure... and found something even better.
It all began one sunny morning in the garden. Reza Shadey was flicking his tail and sniffing under bushes when he spotted something curious peeking out from behind a rosebush. He tugged it free with his paw. Rustle, crinkle! It was a very old, very crinkly piece of paper. His eyes sparkled.
"A treasure map!" he gasped. "Ooooh, shiny gold, sparkly gems, glittery bits... Yes! I, Reza Shadey, shall be a famous explorer!"
He raced to tell his friends. Penelope, who always knew the cleverest things. Ginger Tom, who could figure out anything. And Tiger, who bounced about and feared nothing. "Gather round, treasure hunters!" Reza bossed loudly. "Adventure awaits, and I'm in charge, so listen up!"
They followed the map through the garden gate, past Tiger-Lily's favourite tree stump, over a wobbly little bridge, and down to the babbling brook. Gurgle, gurgle! went the water.
Ginger Tom paused. "There's a riddle here", he said, pointing to the map. "What is big and round, but not a ball, and you can see it in the sky at night?"
Tiger blinked. "Er... a pizza?"
Penelope purred wisely. "The moon, of course."
Reza nodded, acting like he knew all along. "Yes, yes! That's what I was going to say. Good work, team — now hurry up!"
They climbed a little hill and found a big tree with twisty roots. Something sparkled beneath it!
Tiger pounced. "Treasure?"
"Nope", said Tom, sniffing it. "Just Mrs Higgins' lost teaspoon. A magpie must have dropped it here after nicking it!"
Reza frowned bossily. "Well, we'll take it back later. Keep moving, you lot — I'm the leader!"
They carried on, solving clues, crossing stepping stones, and giggling all the way. Reza Shadey began to notice something odd. "I feel funny inside... but in a good way", he thought. "Like... warm and wriggly. Is this what excitement feels like?"
At last, the map led them to the oldest tree in the garden. Penelope tapped the ground with her paw. Thunk! A wooden box!
Tiger helped dig it up. Tom flipped it open. Inside was... not gold. Not jewels. Not glittery bits. But something much better.
Toy mice. Crunchy fish biscuits. A glittery feather toy. A note read: "To the cleverest cats: your treasure is friendship and fun!"
Reza Shadey grinned. "You know what? This is better than any sparkly thing. This treasure smells delicious! Good job, team — but I found it first!"
They shared the biscuits, batted the feather toy, and crunched away under the sunshine, with purring and pouncing and happy tails all around. And when they trotted home, they gave Mrs Higgins her lost teaspoon back, which made her smile.
Night night. Sleep tight.