Episode 8: Cabin Fever Cat

A visit to the local woods near the big city seemed like a grand adventure for Tom and Jerry, and it was even better since they were going to be staying at the cabin that Robyn's father had constructed for her and himself to enjoy getaways from city life. Even though the cabin had burned down when Tom and Jerry had helped Robyn escape from her money-grubbing Aunt Figg, Mr. Starling's considerable wealth had seen it reconstructed in no more than two weeks.

It took a short time for the four family members to unpack once they arrived, and then Tom and Jerry joined Robyn and her father on the porch of Robyn's Nest to watch the sun setting in the west.

Robyn held Jerry up to watch the sunset while Tom climbed onto the rail, and then Robyn said to her pets, "The woods are so nice at night, aren't they?"

"They definitely are, Robyn," agreed Jerry. "There's gonna be lots to enjoy around here. Just think! Hiking on the trails, maybe fishing in the river, camping out under the stars."

"It's a dream come true if you wanna get away from the bustle and hustle in town," added Tom.

"Well, we're going to have plenty of fun this weekend," Robyn assured the two. "Won't we, Daddy."

"Absolutely, honey," Mr. Starling said to his daughter as he gave them a side hug.

…

Unfortunately, the time in the great outdoors was to wait, for the next day was a day of rain with a great storm to follow, and Tom, Jerry, Robyn, and her father were forced to remain indoors while the storm came through. Tom and Jerry were sitting at the window looking out at the vast expanse of the forest. It had only been one day, but they were getting a bit restless for some fun.

"Man, what a day!" Tom said to his mouse buddy.

"Tell me about it," replied Jerry. "This is a worse situation than when we had to stay indoors back at the mansion on a rainy day. At least it wasn't storming then."

Mr. Starling heard their conversation and said, "Well, there's more than enough activities in this cabin that can keep us on our toes for a while."

Robyn came over to her two pets and added, "We just need to pick and choose, and it's as easy as that."

For a moment, the four of them began to consider what activity might help them stave off cabin fever. Then after a moment, Robyn had an idea. "Say, Daddy. Why don't we try a little song and dance? It'll take our minds off this storm and give us a bit of exercise as well as fun."

Tom and Jerry thought this was a decent idea, and so they nodded and agreed that a little music and dancing would do them some good. So, while Mr. Starling set an old-fashioned radio and tuned it to a good station, Robyn removed her shoes and went with Tom and Jerry into the sitting room of Robyn's Nest. In a moment, some decent dance music was playing, and then Tom and Jerry were dancing with Robyn while her father mingled in the background. It was so fun to see Robyn holding Tom's paws as they did a reel together, and Tom got a laugh when Jerry rode down his back and over his tail and into Robyn's outstretched hands. Then as their jig came to an end, Robyn and her father shared a dance together before they came together and hugged.

As Mr. Starling turned off the radio, he said, "That was fun." Then he wondered, "What do you suppose we should do after lunch?"

"Maybe a little reading will help us get through being stuck indoors," said Jerry.

Tom agreed with this idea as did Robyn, and so after a lunch of ham, fruit, and eggs (with milk for Tom and cheese for Jerry), everyone settled down for a bit of reading. The storm was getting worse outside, but that didn't stop Tom and Jerry from enjoying the books. After they finished reading, the cat-and-mouse duo spent a little time enjoying the new television Mr. Starling had set up for the cabin. Robyn joined them and so did her father, and together they enjoyed a few episodes of one of Robyn's favorite shows: The Galaxy Trio.

The storm did start winding down after the family had dinner that evening, and the rest of the time before bed was spent sitting together with a little quiet time to reflect. Then at last, it was time to go to sleep. Robyn brought Tom's sleeping basket close to her cabin bed and set up a small bed on a dresser for Jerry so he could be a bit closer to his young owner.

"Good night, Tom. Good night, Jerry," Robyn said sweetly.

"Good night, Robyn," the two replied in unison.

As they fell asleep, the three had to admit that in spite of a stormy day, it had been fun because they had spent it together as a family. And Tom and Jerry wouldn't have it any other way.