Most Jellicles lived relatively simple and peaceful lives day-to-day in the Junkyard. Afternoon naps, cushy nests, full bellies, endless freetime... But that's only most. There are a few Jellicles who worked harder than you might have thought.

One of these cats would be Jennyanydots, the caretaker and almost slave of the kittens in the tribe.

"I want creme!"

"Can you re-brush my headfur? Etcetera messed it up!"

"Pouncival took my toy mouse!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did no-"

"Quiet!" Jenny yelled, silencing the group with a wave of her hands.

"I'm so tired of your constant bickering! Could you manage to get along for more than five minutes?" She huffed, running a hand down her face.

"Hey, it's not my fault! Pounce is the one-" Tumblebrutus began, but was cut off when Jenny placed a paw over his mouth.

"Zip it." She growled.

"But-!"

"Zip. It."

Tumble grumbled under his breath and crossed his arms, and Pouncival stuck his little pink tongue out at him.

Jenny looked around the chaotic room with a mournful sigh. Her once pristine den was a total mess. There was trash and toys strewn everywhere, left over mouse on the walls, even some ripped up paper all over the ground. It was going to take forever and a day to clean all of it up.

"Alright, kittens. Could you start cleaning this up, please?" She asked tiredly.

"But I don' wannaaa!" Poincival whined.

"Yeah! Isn't it your job to clean up?" Etcetera pointed out.

"You're the adult!"

"You're violating child labour laws!"

"Most of this isn't even ours!"

Jenny groaned in frustration and collapsed into her comfy chair, covering her ears. Was there no end to this torment? Could she not get one second of relaxation?

The there was a knocking at the door.

"Uncle Skimble!" Came excited squeals.

"Hello ya li'l rascals." he laughed as all the kittens came to hug him before walking over to his mate.

"Good evenin', darlin." He said, giving her a quick peck.

"Hello, dear." She said halfheartedly.

"News from the station today." He said, taking off his waistcoat.

"Oh?"

"Aye. I'm tuh be off to the northern part of the northern hemisphere tumorrow afternoon. I'm going to be gone for a little while longer than usual."

"Well you'll be missed, as always." She said with a half smile.

"Aye, I suppose so. But I'm sure you can handle the kittens by yourself for a little while."

The thought of doing anymore extra work was nearly enough to make her cry from stress. What, did they think she was some kind of work mule to just do their bidding? A doormat to wipe their feet on?

"So, deary. What's for dinner?" Skimble asked.

Maybe it was the fact that she hadn't gotten any sleep for four days, or the screaming kittens in the back ground, or even the smell of mouse that had gone bad lingering behind her, but something in her snapped.

"That's it!" She screamed, startling the other cats in the room. "That's the last straw! I'm done!"

"What do yah mean, Darlin'?" Skimbleshanks asked worriedly, trying to hug her. She swatted his hands away.

"All of you just take me for granted! I'm just a big pushover, aren't I? Well not anymore!" She growled, then stomped out of the den angrily, leaving a very confused Skimble and a handful of frightened kittens.

Bombalurina, who had been sitting peacefully on the big tire was unfortunate enough to be the first cat Jenny came upon. She noticed her anger, and was instant concerned. Jenny was not one to get angry easily.

"Are you alright, Jenny?" She asked tentatively.

"No! I am most certainly not alright!

Everyone in this Junkyard takes me for granted!" Jenny hissed.

"But Jenny- everyone loves you! We're all very glad you are so great with the kittens."

"But no one respects me! They think my job is easy!"

Bombalurina scoffed. "Well, I mean how hard can taking care of four little kittens really be?"

If it was possible for Jenny to get anymore furious, she would have exploded. Bombalurina realized her mistake too late.

"Oh, so it's so easy to take care of kittens, is it? Wonderful! Then you can take care of them while I take a vacation." Jenny huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and stomping away.

"No! Wait- Jenny!" Bombalurina called after her in dismay. She couldn't take care of four kittens! She had no idea where to even start.

Skimbleshanks ran up to her, worry etched on his face.

"Which way did she go?" He panted.

Bomblurina pointed behind her.

"I 'ave tuh go see if I can convince her to come bachk. You watch the kittens."

"But I don't-" Bombalurina started, but he was already gone.


Poor Bombalurina! Will she be able to take care of the kittens? Or will she fail miserably?