Ruth Sat Down at the Old Piano. She Didn't Expect to Share the Bench.
The old upright piano has a deep reddish wood finish, a few nicks along the edges, and keys that have mellowed to soft ivory. Ruth sits at it in her denim shirt, her long silver braid trailing down her back, eyes lowered to her hands as they rest on the keys mid-melody. Beside her on the worn wooden bench, Saffron sits tall and straight, tail curled around her paws, looking out toward the room with calm, golden eyes, like a page turner waiting for her cue. A basket of folded blankets sits under the keyboard.
Cats have sensitive ears and can hear higher pitches than humans, so they often react to music in their own way. Many are perfectly content around gentle, steady piano playing, especially when it comes from a person they trust. Loud, sudden notes might send them running, so keeping the volume soft at first helps a cat get used to the sound. If your cat chooses to sit nearby while you play, that's usually a sign it feels comfortable. Some cats also enjoy walking across the keys themselves, which is harmless fun as long as the lid is kept from slamming down on paws.
Saffron seems to prefer listening to performing, at least today. Ruth plays on, and her one-cat audience stays right where she is, not moving a whisker.
