Ember Sat Next to the Glowing Pumpkin as the Sun Went Down
As the evening sky turns blue, a tiny tortoiseshell kitten sits on the front walk and looks straight at a glowing jack-o'-lantern. The pumpkin's triangle eyes and toothy grin shine with warm light, and her little face is turned toward it as if the two are having a quiet talk. A wreath of leaves and pinecones hangs on the dark door behind them, with orange mums blooming beside the steps.
Kittens are curious about light and flicker, and a glowing pumpkin is as interesting to them as it is to the neighbors. If the light comes from a real candle, it is a safety hazard, since a curious kitten can burn her whiskers or knock the pumpkin over, so battery-operated lights are a much safer choice. It is also best to keep a kitten away from the edge of the walkway and from any contact with a hot bulb.
Tortoiseshell kittens have a swirled mix of black, orange, and brown, and they tend to be spirited and full of personality. We will call this one Ember, thanks to the warm glow and her coat. She is sitting very still, a little cautious but curious, her whiskers pointing toward the pumpkin. In a minute, someone will come to bring her indoors, but for now she is a tiny guest admiring the neighborhood's best decoration.
