The Scarecrow Never Moved, and the Kitten at His Feet Slept On

Eyes closed and paws tucked, a pale cream kitten dozes on a burlap sack at the foot of a straw scarecrow. The scarecrow wears a floppy hat, a plaid shirt, and a stitched smile with a carrot-colored nose, and he seems to be watching over the sleeper. Behind them are a green-framed window and door, and a pot of dried plants sits against the wall. The porch boards are worn, with a leaf or two blown in.

Kittens sleep a great deal, often 16 hours or more a day, and they tend to pick places that feel soft and protected. A burlap sack warmed by the afternoon sun is a good choice. A porch nap is fine for supervised moments, but young kittens should not be left outside alone, because of weather, traffic, and other animals. Scottish Fold kittens, with their small folded ears, are usually described as sweet and mellow. They enjoy company and sometimes sleep in unusual positions. If a kitten seems to sleep much more or much less than expected, mention it to your vet.

The scarecrow and the kitten make an odd but sweet pair. One stands guard, and the other sleeps through everything. Straw pokes out of the sack and onto her fur, but she does not mind. The afternoon is slow, the porch is warm, and nothing needs scaring away today.