It was a calm ordinary day in the junkyard. Everybody was happy and was doing its duty. Munkustrap as always was patrolling the Jellicle tribe and making sure that it was everything in order and peace. His father, Old Deuteronomy was sitting on the big tire in the Jellicle Ball thinking about a very delicate matter. Munkustrap saw him but decided not to say a word because he knew he was thinking about something and didn't want to disturb him, so he turned to his left and went to Demeter's den. She was training some dance steps outside her den listening to "The Magic Flute" by Mozart. He just stood there watching her. She was such a beautiful ballerina. He almost lost himself in her dance and when the music stopped it was like he woke up in the morning in the middle of a beautiful dream. He clapped and she locked with her lovely smile at him. They said good morning to each other and gave a big kiss.
-What brings you here? Shouldn't you be patrolling the tribe? – she asked.
Munkustrap took her paws and sat beside her and answered:
-I was just passing by and I thought this was the perfect time to see you, and I got it right. Your dance was beautiful to watch.
She thanked him and gave him another kiss. Munkustrap heard his father calling him from the tire and said goodbye to his mate. "Wow, he never call me like that, so it must be important. I better run.!"he thought.
Once he got there he was tired and tried to catch his breath:
-Father… I…. did you call me?
-Why did you come in such a worry? – questioned his father.
Munkustrap was catching his breath and said:
-Well I… I thought it was an emergency.
-Hum, you my son surely are a good cat. –he laughed a bit- But there is one thing that you must understand. You can run as fast as you can but even doing that there will be always something in the future that you won't be able to help it even if you run like a cheetah. And if it happens it won't be your fault because that's how Nature is, and that is something that no one can change. You need to calm down, because if you continue like this, your life will be a misery and believe me; I know what I am saying.
His father was right, like always. But he couldn't avoid it. He only does that because he wants his family and friends to be safe. But still with small situations he was like this and that needed to stop. After thinking about this he nodded at him.
-well – continued Old Deuteronomy – that's not the reason that I called you. Please sit down beside me please.
When Munkustrap sat down he continued:
-You know that as more years I might live, I won't live forever. I'm an old cat that can barely even walk. So I need to trust you something that I will never ever trust anyone else but you. Are you ready to listen to me?
His father seemed very serious, but Munkustrap was serious to. "(…) trust you something that I will never ever trust anyone else but you." this made him fell a little bit important and proud but he realized that this was a very important matter, so he nodded and listened very carefully.
-Good. I feel that taking care of the Jellicle Ball like when I used to do when you were a kitten is too much to ask for me for the rest of my life. I won't be able to handle it anymore, son- affirmed Old Deuteronomy- So can you accept the charge to be the next leader of the tribe? And take care of it just like I did and you did for me?
Munkustrap was shocked. He? The new leader? He knew it was going to be him but not now. When he was a kit all that he wanted was to be the new leader and used to dream how his ceremony was going to be, but now he was an adult and was nervous about it. But his father was getting old and all that pressure wasn't going to be good for his health so he said stuttering:
-If you do think that I am ready, than I will take it and try to look up for the tribe just like you did.
Old Deuteronomy smiled at his son and patted his head.
-Good my boy. The ceremony will be tomorrow night when the full moon rises. Is that alright for you?
Munkustrap nervously nodded. And walked back to an old car where he thought that no one was going to see. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. When he woke up it was already night and everybody was talking about the ceremony. Everyone congratulated him and he thanked. He went to Demeter's den. There was something that he wanted to ask her. Something that could change their life's forever. He spent a week to get ready to ask her to marry him and to be his mate.
She was cleaning up her dishes when she saw him. She invited him to come in and they sat in an old sofa.
-Oh are you feeling, honey? - asked Demeter
-To be honest I'm scared. I dreamt this moment all my life and now it has come and I am scared. – confessed Munkustrap.
-There's nothing to be afraid of. We will all support you and you have your father that can give you some advices.- she kissed his check.
"Hum, I have a better idea. Since when you ask someone to marry you it's supposed to be romantic, tomorrow night after the ceremony and the party I'll take to a walk in the park and I'll ask her." he thought. On the wall, they heard the bell showing it was midnight.
-Oh, my god I must see if everything is in order now, sorry my love. – he apologized.
She kissed him and said smiling:
-That's okay, hon. You need to sleep to be ready for tomorrow night. What would the Jellicle Ball be without you and you protection, my love?
He kissed her back and went to do his "night check". Since everything was in order he went to his bed and fell asleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.