Fiction: Group 3
were mostly young people, laughing and shouting as they went along, their hair flapping in the wind. At
first, Jake and Pearl were frightened and would hide away in the bushes once they heard the tinkling bells.
By and by they felt safer and would poke out to watch them fly by in envy.
The lane was more crowded on weekends. Families with kids were out together. Kids adored the
dog-cat company. Some would even stroke them and give them food. During weekdays, though, the lane
was quieter, except for early morning, when old people would stroll along, stretching, humming, chatting.
Jake and Pearl got their food mostly from the litterbins. There were some leftovers after the
weekends. If lucky, they would even get some half-eaten
cha siu bao
. As days went by, Jake was beginning
to grow attached to the place.
Except for the fact that food is scarce, this place is perfect! The bushes provide
cosy shelters. People are friendly. What more do I need?
The sun was sinking fast, kindling a nearby mountain and silhouetting the bamboo trees with
golden linings.
I can’t believe we’ve already travelled for 10 days, Jake thought. Time flies quick....
Pearl’s meow jolted him back from his thoughts. ‘We’ll continue tomorrow,’ she stifled a yawn.
‘We might reach our destination tomorrow.’
They veered off the Greenway and curled together under a huge bush.
* * *
Rain lashed down from the dark, bulging clouds. Jake woke up, feeling cold and wet all over. Pearl
was stirring in her sleep. Jake prodded her, and she sat up. ‘Ugh! How are we going to travel in this
weather?’
‘Why not? You don’t mind the rain, do you?’
‘Of course I do!’ she grumbled. ‘Every cat dislikes rain! It makes your fur all wet and
uncomfortable. I’ll have to groom my fur all day!’
Jake stared at the rain, and through the haze of translucent rain sheets, the evergreen bamboo trees;
beyond that still, the distant misty mountains…. It was a vast world. Again he thought,
why can’t we stay
here?
He was about to suggest this to Pearl, when she spoke first.
‘You know, people used to steal into Hong Kong, so I’ve heard, for a better life. They would swim
across the Ng Tung River to Hong Kong. They don’t do this anymore. They have a good life here, too,
now….’
They both looked at the Greenway, shimmering in the rain. Big raindrops splashed on the red lane
and bounced back, forming countless crystal flowers, fresh and cool.
Perhaps someday, our life will also improve, so that cats and dogs won’t have to leave their
homeland, either.
Jake looked at Pearl, who seemed to read his thoughts.
‘This place is peaceful,’ Jake barked.
‘Yeah,’ Pearl meowed. ‘Peaceful and safe. Without netters.’
‘Peaceful and safe,’ Jake echoed. ‘The Greenway reminds me of Baiyun Park. My home. And
yours.’
Pearl gave a slight nod.
The thought sneaked back into his mind, and he let it flow out through his mouth. ‘Why can’t we
stay here?’
Pearl’s eyes widened. ‘Why?’
‘Why not?’
They looked at each other for a long time, eyes unblinking as if they were in a staring contest.
Finally, Pearl looked away at the glistening Greenway before she faced him again. ‘I suppose we can,’ she
whispered.
Jake nodded. Suddenly, he felt relieved.
This is my new home now
, he thought.
The Greenway.
He knew that he would be happy here. Food was still scarce, but it was enough to feed him and Pearl. He
looked at Pearl’s bright eyes, and saw hope.
This is the right decision,
her amber eyes seemed to say. Together, they turned up their heads in
unison and looked at the clear blue sky. The rain had died out, leaving a sparkling rainbow hovering over
the mountains and touching the warm summer sun.
