Chico's Story October 2o21

​CHICO’S BROOKLYN RESCUE
My name is Chico Junior and I want to tell you a story about my daddy Chico, Sr.
One day, we were enjoying sitting in the garden.  I was having a good time playing with my blue ball that one of the children in the building gave me.  Daddy was busy with the gardener by the outside garden area.  Daddy wanted to make sure that the grass wasn't cut too short, because it was somewhat of a camouflage for our safety. Daddy wanted it cut just so.  That is why the Gardner came calling for Daddy, when he came monthly to do his work.  Daddy came back into the garden, and was drinking some water, when Joey came walking into the garden.  He told Chico that the shoemaker's cat Albert was missing.  Daddy thought for a second, and then asked “isn't he in School?”  Joey said he went to school in the morning with the children, but never came home for lunch.  Daddy looked up at Mommy, and told her that he was going to look into this.  Mommy looked worried.  As always, Tommy volunteered to go with Chico.  Joey, Daddy and Tommy went walking towards the school.  Everyone in the neighborhood knew about Albert going to school.  It was sort of the Talk of the Town. He was in the sixth-grade class with the teacher, Mrs. Jones.  He had his own desk, and everything.  When Daddy, Joey and Tommy pulled up on the corner to cross to the school, the crossing guard gave them the right of way and, they crossed the street to the school.  All the children came out after the bell rang, and still there was no Albert. Chico said, “let's split up.”  Daddy told Joey to check the back entrance of the school, and the school yard.  Tommy was to check the small houses on the right side of the street, and Chico went to check the houses on the left side of the small Street crossing. As Daddy was looking around, he heard some faint sounds.  He called out Albert's name, and then he heard a meow.  Chico went a little way to an alley, and saw the little guy standing behind a gate.  Daddy said, “I am here to help you, tell me what happened.”  Albert said, “when I was leaving school I was distracted by a strange squeaking noise across the way, so I went to check it out. I was told I had very good hearing. When I walked through the gate looking around, somehow I backed into it and closed myself in.  Then I realized it was a gate that made the noise.  I tried to climb out, but it was too high.”  Chico looked up, and knew that he couldn't climb the gate either.  By then, Tommy and Joey were looking for Chico and saw him from the distance.  They crossed over, and Chico told them what was going on with Albert.  Then daddy decided that the best way to free Albert was to dig a hole under the gate.  So, Albert, daddy, Tommy and Joey started digging.  In a short while, the whole was deep enough for Albert to climb under.  Albert was so happy that he started rubbing against Daddy.  The Rescuer was looking around the school, and saw them across the street.  She then came over with her carrier.  She told us that there where many people out there looking for Albert.  The rescuer looked down, and saw the hole under the gate and realized what had happened.  She was happy to see Albert safe, and sound.  Chico told Albert to go with this nice lady because she will bring you home.  Daddy said to Albert, “I know kitties are curious however, what you did was very dangerous.”  Albert understood by shaking his head, and said he would not do anything like that again.  The Rescuer put him in the carrier, said Thank you to us and started walking away with Albert.  She told us to cross the street with her, since the crossing guard was long gone.  When we reached the Avenue, Joey said he was going home.  Chico told Joey that he did the right thing coming to him for help, and that he was always welcome to come by the garden.  We were all excited to see Daddy, and Tommy walking through into the garden.  When Chico told us everything was all right, you could see Mommy give a sigh of relief.  Daddy said, “Albert walked away on his own, and got into trouble.  When possible, we should stay together. It is safer that way.”  He looked at me, and I understood.  I will be back next month with another story.