From the Cougar's Point of View
It was growing dark in the forest. The blonde girl was still there. Slowly, the cougar walked to within 10 feet of her, and then stopped. The big cat stood watching the girl. She was very wary of him, and had frozen when the cat first appeared, like a scared bunny rabbit that thinks you can't see it if it doesn't move. Dumb blonde! the cougar thought. Like a dumb bunny!
The girl was trying to inch away now, still facing the cougar as she slowly, slowly extended her left leg. The cat made a slight noise, and the girl pulled her leg back with a jerk, and a gasp. They stood there for minutes, just the girl and the cougar, until the blonde worked up the courage to try again. This time the cat let her take a step before he made another soft sound, almost a mew. She froze. This is fun, thought the cougar. The blonde looked like she'd faint from sheer terror.
I wonder how long I can keep blondie here like this? The cat was laughing inside. He wasn't hungry, he had just devoured an owl, so he was doing this just for fun. But of course the girl didn't know that. She didn't know she was just a play thing, a toy for the cougar.
The staring contest went on for minutes, the cougar wasn't sure how long, because he didn't have his watch on, Actually, he didn't have a watch at all, but the girl did. I've always wanted a watch, the cat mused. Even if it's a girl's.
The cat thought of an old limerick he had once been taught by a cousin.
"There once was a lady from Niger,
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger.
They came back from a ride
With the lady inside,
And the smile on the face of the tiger."
It was based on a true story, his mother had told him when she heard him reciting it. He'd been the awe of the other cats at cougar school when he told it to them. His cousin was a tiger! Awesome! Cool!
He briefly wondered if he could have the girl climb on his back, but then discarded the idea. She can't be that dumb, can she? But what should I do with her? the cat wondered. He was getting bored with blondie. Should he get his friends? They'd all have a great time with her, he thought, not moving his eyes for a second.
The blonde girl still stood, frozen in place. She was afraid to even breathe, but she felt like her legs wouldn't support her any more. She couldn't hold this position forever. Tentatively, she stretched her foot, in the direction away from the cat. The cougar growled. She still doesn't understand the rules, the cougar thought. I didn't say "Simon Says." Dumb bunny.