Story 60: Reza Shadey and the Grand Nap-Spot Scheme
The sun beamed down, warm and golden, making Mrs Higgins's garden shimmer with a sleepy kind of magic. It was the sort of day that made even the most energetic kitten think about a nice, long snooze.
And for Reza Shadey, the magnificent Persian cat with the fluffiest tail in town, it was a day of great importance.
"Aha!" purred Reza, stretching each glorious paw one by one.
He had spotted it: the most perfect patch of sunlit grass, right beneath Mrs Higgins's prize-winning rose bush. It was sheltered from the breeze, softly scented, and just the right amount of squishy.
This, he decided, was his.
But then — a problem.
Across the garden, his friends were also searching for nap spots. Sensible Penelope. Sleepy Ginger Tom. Bouncy Tiger.
Reza's emerald eyes narrowed.
"Heavens to whiskers. I cannot have common cats wandering into a premium location such as this."
He puffed out his chest.
"Attention, esteemed feline colleagues!" he announced. "I have determined that this garden requires a Grand Relaxation Facility. A most important project. Naturally, I shall oversee it."
Ginger Tom blinked slowly. "A nap... project?" he mumbled. "Sounds like... effort."
"Precisely!" said Reza, ignoring him. "A complex undertaking."
He turned sharply.
"Tiger!"
Tiger bounded over at once. "Yes, Reza! Is it a game? Can I chase something?"
"Even better", said Reza. "I require you to patrol the entire garden for invisible squirrels. They are extremely sneaky and may interfere with our plans. A vital mission!"
Tiger gasped. "Invisible squirrels? I will guard everything!"
And off he dashed into the bushes.
Reza gave a small, satisfied nod.
Next, he turned to Penelope, who was calmly grooming a paw.
"Penelope, your attention to detail is unmatched. I need you to inspect every cushion on the patio. Each one must be perfectly soft. Not slightly soft. Perfectly soft."
Penelope paused, her eyes narrowing just a fraction.
"Rezzi", she said gently, "this sounds suspiciously like busywork."
"It is quality testing", Reza replied firmly.
Penelope sighed, but rose and made her way to the cushions.
Finally, Reza looked at Ginger Tom, who was already drifting off again.
"And you", said Reza, "will conduct an important experiment. The catio must be tested for wind. Sit inside and report any breezes. Thoroughly."
Ginger Tom yawned. "Wind... right..."
He shuffled off.
Reza watched them go, his whiskers twitching with satisfaction.
"Excellent leadership", he murmured.
Then, with a contented sigh, he settled into his perfect spot, kneaded the grass, and closed his eyes.
"Ah. All the benefits, none of the effort."
After a while, Tiger slowed to a stop.
"I cannot find any squirrels", he puffed. "Invisible or otherwise."
He wandered over to Penelope.
She was surrounded by cushions, patting them one by one with increasing lack of enthusiasm.
"They are all just... cushions", she said. "My whiskers are tired."
Ginger Tom soon joined them, his fur ruffled.
"The catio is very windy", he said. "I do not recommend it for naps."
The three of them paused.
Tiger scratched his ear. "So... Reza gets the best spot, and we do all the work?"
Penelope's tail flicked thoughtfully. "Yes. That does seem to be the pattern."
Ginger Tom nodded slowly. "I would prefer a nap."
At that moment, Tiger's ears perked up.
"Look!"
Under the old apple tree was a wide patch of soft green moss, dappled with sunlight and shade.
It looked perfect.
"No wind", said Ginger Tom, already heading over.
"No invisible squirrels", added Tiger.
"Plenty of room", said Penelope.
The three of them curled up together, warm and comfortable. Soon, a gentle chorus of purring filled the air.
Later, Reza awoke, stretched, and smiled to himself.
"Time to review progress", he said.
He strutted across the garden.
But the cushions were abandoned. The bushes were still. The catio stood empty.
Reza stopped.
"Where", he said slowly, "are my highly trained operatives?"
Then he heard it: soft, happy purring.
He followed the sound to the apple tree.
There they were. All three of them, fast asleep in a cosy heap.
Reza frowned.
"Ahem!"
Penelope opened one eye.
"Oh. Hello, Rezzi."
"What is the meaning of this?"Reza demanded. "You have duties!"
"We found a better spot", said Penelope calmly. "It works rather well."
Tiger stretched. "It is very comfortable."
Ginger Tom snored.
Reza glanced at the moss. Then at his own, distant patch of grass.
He sniffed.
"It appears... somewhat lacking in structure", he said. "And possibly inefficient."
No one moved.
Reza hesitated.
"It is clearly not as refined as my original selection", he muttered.
He looked again.
It did look comfortable.
Very comfortable.
He took a step closer. Then stopped.
"A leader", he said quietly to himself, "must occasionally reassess... conditions."
Another step.
"With proper oversight."
He circled once, carefully.
"Purely for evaluation purposes."
And then, at last, he settled at the very edge of the moss.
His tail just brushed against Penelope's fur.
No one commented.
After a moment, Reza's eyes closed.
Inside his mind, everything was already perfectly clear.
"A flawless outcome", he thought. "I allowed my team to locate an even better site, while I conserved my energy."
He purred.
"Excellent planning."
His tail flicked once, neatly.
"Another complete success."
Night night. Sleep tight.