Sworn Enemies
James had just settled down for a quick nap when the furious barking of his dog thundered in through the open window. Normally, Benny was rather quiet, but today he was going wildbarking madly from early morning, and not just barking, but with a sharp intensity that left no doubt something was amiss.
James had already dashed outside several times, yet found nothing unusual or suspicious.
He figured perhaps the neighbours dogs had been passing by and Benny was simply defending his turf.
That was Benny for younever keen on any outsiders near his patch. Unsurprising, really, that whenever James stepped outside, there wasnt a soul to be seen.
Bennys booming bark could send even the bravest running. No doubt, the neighbours dogs fled in haste.
Of course, they couldnt have known Jamess shaggy bearas he sometimes called Bennywas actually locked away in the kennel. During the day, James always kept him therebetter safe than sorry.
But once night fell, Benny was released. As they say, theres no accounting for the consequences.
Not long ago, three would-be thieves from a nearby village tried sneaking onto the property.
To make a long story short, one left his trousers dangling off the gates spikes, another abandoned a trainer beneath the fence, and the third climbed a treeall the way to the very top.
They had to call the fire brigade for the third one, since he couldnt manage getting down on his own. Benny had certainly made an impression that day. Theyd never forget it.
Importantly, Benny never barked without good reason. Yet today, he seemed completely out of sorts.
Benny, thats enough! James called, rising from the bed and stepping over to the window.
The dog fell silent for a few seconds, but quickly picked up again with renewed energy.
At last, James decided he needed to head into the garden to see what was riling up his massive English sheepdog.
Sure enough, there was nobody about. Benny quieted as soon as he saw his master.
Well then, whats got you singing like a lark, huh? James chuckled, walking up to the kennel.
Benny wagged his tail with enough force to shake the kennel, casting a sheepish glance at James.
He knew, of course, hed disturbed Jamess rest. But he never barked without a reason.
Right then, Benny gave a short glance toward the gate and barked sharply.
James spun his head around and caught a glimpsea grey shape zipped away like lightning. He hurried to the gate, dashed out onto the road, and saw…
…just an ordinary cat.
And the cats expression, oh my wordbrazen, smug, and full of confidence.
Well, what are you doing here, mate? James grinned. Let me give you some advicebest not to hang about, or Bennyll have a go at you. He cant stand cats. If he catches you, well…
The cat pulled a face, and for a split moment, James could have sworn it even smirked.
Catch me, you say? was written in the cats eyes. He wont even get out of his kennel in time. You should feed your fat dog less.
James felt oddly insulted, seeing the stray cat put Benny down so elegantly without a single word.
Be off with you then! James waved. He returned and shut the gate behind him.
Did the cat listen? Of course not. Quite the oppositeit started appearing in the garden every day.
The cat strolled about without a care, lounging by the kennel, acting like he owned the place, and Bennys only answer was wild barking.
James would charge outside to chase the cheeky feline off his property, but as soon hed return to the house, the cat would show up again.
In the end, James couldnt do a thing.
The cat, after this little victory, crowned itself king of the garden.
One day it even managed to swipe a chunk of meat from Bennys bowl, which, mind you, was inside the kennel. Benny lay in the corner, exhausted from barking, so the grey cat seized the opportunity.
Then, as James watched, the cat chewed the stolen meat right in front of Benny, with a look that said, What are you going to do about it?
James saw it all, and outrage boiled up inside him.
Is that how it is, eh? he muttered crossly. Well, Ill fix you. Youll regret messing with my dog.
So James decided not to lock Benny in the kennel during the day anymore.
Rather, he left the kennel’s door ajar, so Benny could push it open and run out if needed.
Time for Benny to finally sort things out, James thought.
The cat had become a nuisancewinding up both Benny and James, robbing them of peace and quiet.
But on the day James and Benny waited for the uninvited guest, the grey cat didnt show.
Perhaps it sensed something or something else had happenedit was unclear. In fact, James was a bit disappointedthis clever trap wasted, and that grey rascal didnt come. Not the next day, nor the day after.
Benny looked at James, bewildered, but James could only shrug. What could he say?
Maybe its for the best the cat no longer drops in, he smiled. Quiet at last.
Though truthfully, James was being coy.
Hed grown fond of the troublemaking cat. Strange, but true.
And Benny too had got used to barking at his arch nemesis, and being scandalised by those antics.
Now, what? Boredom.
A few days later, Benny began beseeching James to check around for the cat.
How? With those looks. Benny would approach, gaze at him silently, and James understood.
Think something happened to our grey rascal? he asked thoughtfully. Well, with that personality, hes bound to get into scrapes. Alright, Benny, lets check outside and see if hes about.
James opened the gate, stepped onto the road, and glanced about, standing next to the car.
Benny followed, sniffing the air in hope of catching that familiar, despised scent.
But it was trickythe smell of manure from the neighbours yard masked everything.
James wandered up one end of the street, then the other. He returned to the gate, ready to herd Benny into the garden.
After all, they couldnt stand out there all day waiting for a cat whod disrupted their peace for weeks.
He reached for the gate, then stopped, turning left.
Something odd was happening nearby. James heard frantic yowling, a panicked cats cry echoing through the street, and equally furious barking.
Suddenly, the grey cat burst onto the road, limping slightly, chased by a large doga Doberman.
James recognised whose dog it was. Every summer, sometimes in winter, a family from the city would visit, bringing their Doberman.
Apparently, the grey cat had attempted to torment the city dog as hed done with Benny, but things hadnt gone to plan.
The Doberman even seemed to have bitten the cat; James saw brownish stains on the grey fur.
While he watched the cat run toward him, James forgot about Benny for a moment.
Without waiting for permission, which hed never done before, Benny bolted out.
Benny! Where are you off to? James exclaimed, imagining the worst for the cat whod already suffered at the Dobermans jaws, and now Benny would surely make matters worse. Benny, stop!
But Benny ignored him, accelerating to meet the cat.
The cat froze mid-road, terrified; surely realising that its carefree lifestyle and nine lives hung by a whisker.
And what happened next? Of course, you know. James didnt.
Benny stopped beside the shaking cat, sniffed him, and then…
…then, with a roar like a lion (or perhaps a bear), Benny launched himself at the Doberman.
He chased him all the way down the street. Fortunately, the Doberman had quick reflexes and made a sharp U-turn, ears flat.
Otherwise, hed have been in real trouble. There was no dog in the whole village who could best Benny.
The cat seized the moment and disappeared. James watched Benny, missing the cats escape. Later that evening, when he went to feed Benny, nearly dropping the bowl in surprise, the cat was back. Alive, well, and with eyes shining with gratitude. The cat rested its head against Bennys leg, purring quietly. Benny looked at James in such a way, James burst into laughter.
Sorry, Master, but I rescued him, so now I must look after him for life, was the message in Bennys gaze.
And that was no joke.
Benny genuinely became the cats bodyguard.
He even let the cat eat from his own bowlunheard of generosity from a gruff giant. Somehow, the grey cat melted Bennys icy heart. They were no longer sworn enemies, but loyal friends.
And if you think the story ends there, think again.
James took the cat to the city for the vet to examine his leg. The wound was seriousit wouldnt heal by itself. So the vet stitched him up, and naturally, the grey cat stayed at Jamess house after.
James cared for him, Benny kept an anxious eye on himamazing, considering theyd once wanted to chase the cat away. Lifes full of twists.
After some time, a lovely young woman appeared by the gate.
Benny barked quietly, fearing hed frighten her, and only let out a few uncertain woofs. James heard and dashed outside.
H-h-hello he greeted the beautiful stranger. Are you looking for me?
The woman explained she was searching for her grey cat. Shed tried keeping him indoors, but her Thomas always escaped and wandered till evening. Hed always lived in a flat in the city, and now shed brought him to the countryside to care for her mum after a stroke, and Thomas, unleashed, couldnt stop roaming. Hed usually return home, but the past few days he hadnt, leaving her worried.
You know, I think I know where your Thomas is, smiled James. Please come inside. Dont worry about Bennyhe wont harm you. Come in.
To your dog? Why?
Youll see.
The woman hesitated, but Jamess sincere, gentle look won her trust. When she reached Benny and saw the cat curled up beside him, she gasped.
Thomas! How did you? What happened? she squealed, seeing the bandaged leg and thigh. She glanced at James, Did your dog bite him?
No, no, not at all, James flushed. On the contrarywe rescued Thomas.
From whom?
If youve time, I can tell you the whole story. I think youll find it interesting.
James told Emily (they introduced themselves while chatting), and she laughed for ages.
Well, I never My Thomas tormented you day after day and you saved him!
Were just soft hearts, Benny and me, James grinned. But, you know, your Thomas is recovering wellphysically and in spirit. Now hes a sweetheart and no longer tests our nerves.
Hes always been like that… Maybe its the fresh country air. Or perhaps hes upset Ive less time for him since caring for Mum takes so much effort. Shes learning to walk again. Its a slow process.
Do visit us sometime, James said shyly. Bring Thomas too.
Ill consider it, Emily replied playfully.
Six months later, the whole village celebrated James and Emilys wedding. And naturally, Thomas and Benny were there, tooeven the Doberman, whod bitten Thomass leg.
The Doberman recognised Thomas, eyed him warily at first, but after meeting Bennys gaze, pretended not to recognise him after all.
Thats how things are: sometimes, even sworn enemies become lifelong friends. You never know how a twist of fateor a generous actcan change everything. In the end, kindness and understanding bring us together, teaching us the value of second chances and unexpected friendships.
