The guy was returning home hungry. It was already 8 pm, and he had just managed to swallow two sandwiches in the morning. He saw a small shop at the bus stop where they made delicious toasts. He immediately remembered his childhood, how his mother always bought him the biggest toast with a big glass of kvass. He ordered a double portion at once.
The fat woman carefully wrapped everything in a napkin, gave him a plastic fork and a disposable plate. The guy was about to start eating, but heard a piercing squeak
– Meow, – as if his gray cat was calling him.
He looked at the boy intently and did not look away. He sits and licks himself.
– Do you want one piece?
– Meow, – the fluffy one said and ran closer to the man.
The boy carefully chopped one toast into pieces and put everything on a napkin.
– “Kitty, kitty,” the boy called the cat as if inviting it to the table.
The cat ran up and in a few seconds there was nothing left on the napkin. The fluffy one just licked and looked at the guy affectionately.
– You must have not eaten anything for a long time. Well, take mine, I’m not hungry, – the man smiled and threw one crumb at a time for the cat. The cat stood on its hind legs when he saw the boy’s hand reaching for the toast.
In gratitude, he began to purr loudly and rub against the guy’s winter slippers.
– Oh, well, you wait for me here. I’ll buy you some more. It’s still cold outside, and at least you’ll have a decent lunch, poor thing.
The boy hurried into the shop.
– Good morning. I’ll have a double portion again, and this time put as much meat as possible so that the dough doesn’t stick together!
He carefully put everything in a bag and ran to the bench. Fluffy was waiting for him there.
– “And who drove you out of your home like that? A beautiful and thoroughbred cat, and so well-mannered, was waiting for me.
The animal only greedily swallowed pieces of meat.
– “Oh, you’re in a lot of trouble!” – the guy shouted, when the cat jumped on his legs and gently massaged his neck with its paws. It seems that this is the cat’s way of saying “thank you”.
The man hugged the cat for a long time. He felt his long antennae tickling his nose, and purred as if he wanted to sing a lullaby.
– You know, cat, I will take you to my place. I live alone, there is no one. So you’ll be my roommate. Don’t worry, I have milk for you, and even a piece of sausage. And I will not be sad to live, and you will finally have a home!
He got up behind the benches and walked towards the yard.
– Sir, wait a minute! – he heard a familiar voice.
The guy noticed that the same fat lady, who had sold him the toasts, was hurrying from the shop.
– Here, take, there are 10 pieces, it should be enough for you.
– Ma’am, but I didn’t order any. And I don’t have enough money for so many portions.
– No, don’t refuse. It’s from that gentleman in uniform – the woman pointed to a young man in a police uniform.
Some visitors began to applaud the young man as a sign of respect. And the guy took off his hat, made a small bow and went home.
That’s how the man found a true friend that evening. And it was not about toasts. After all, there are many people in the world, but not everyone can boast of a kind heart and compassion for the defenseless.
