30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Day 12

“Nala”

10″ x 8″ Watercolor on watercolor paper.

“Nala: My Story”

It was six years ago. I had just finished my breakfast when a family came up to my space there in the animal shelter. I did my very best to look adorable and I must have succeeded because soon I was in my new home.

I was tiny, maybe weighed about two pounds, but big with an agenda of having fun with my new family. Soon I met my roommates; Simba, the male cat, Oliver, the lively puppy, and Boris, the turtle. Only Boris knew how to treat a tiny newcomer; he ignored me. Of course, he lives a life of pure contentment in his very own glass, environmentally-controlled house. Hey, I could run faster than him any day, so right away I liked Boris.

Simba accepted me and quickly became my best friend and protector. Gee, we looked so much alike, I asked him if he had ever been to the animal shelter over on Elm street. He told me he couldn’t remember that far back.

But with Oliver, the lively puppy,  it was different. He took one look at me and said “Oh boy, a cat of my very own; to harass; drag around, chase, sneak up on, ambush from the stairway, bark at until its ears stayed turned backwards, almost permanently, and sometimes take a nap with her curled up beside me.”

As I grew I learned how to handle all three of my roommates. All I needed was time to get my paws on the ground, become accustomed to the unwritten rules of my new home, and…….. size. It has helped that I weigh a little more than two pounds, now.

I like to think I’ve become the calm, lovely, talkative, cuddly…..and patient (long-suffering) Nala that everyone loves so much…..thanks to Simba, Oliver, and Boris. They each taught me something about myself, and how to treat others. Perfect!

 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12:18