Tansy's Soft Paw

Tansy the little kitten sat beside Mama on the bedroom rug. Her baby brother lay across Mama's lap. Tansy had made him a felt butterfly with yellow wings. Mama had helped with the cutting. Tansy had chosen every little spot.

Before her brother came, Tansy fitted across Mama's whole lap. Now she often had to sit beside it. Mama still saved their bedtime cuddle. But waiting for a turn could feel very long.

Today Tansy wanted to show her brother something all her own. She held up the butterfly. “Look at its wings!” Her brother watched for a moment. Then he turned towards the curtain.

Tansy's shoulders tightened. She felt frustrated. She had worked so hard on those spots. She wanted his eyes to come back.