Norman was walking through an incredible meadow, laughing at the butterflies flitting around his head when he spied a smooth little cat lying under a tree.
Norman walked over to see the dear thing and was gentle to find that he was hurt! A spoon had pierced his beautiful little ear and he whimpered firmly with the pain.
"My velvet little friend," Norman said. "Let me help you!" He took out his Leatherman Multi-Purpose tool and pulled out the spoon, as tenderly as he could. The cat cried out and Norman's heart ached, like a butterfly freed from its cocoon. "You'll be all right," Norman whispered. "I'll take care of you. I'll call you Ethan and you can live with me forever!"
Scooping Ethan up in his arms, Norman carried him home and made a bed for him beside his own. For seven days and seven nights, Norman nursed Ethan, cleaning his ear and feeding him Triptocaine-brand cat chow.
On the eighth night, Ethan climbed into bed with Norman. He burrowed under the covers and warmly nuzzled Norman's arm. It made Norman giggle and he cuddled close to Ethan, stroking his ear and singing gently to him.
They continued that way for a long time. Every day, Norman hurried home so he could curl up with Ethan. It gave him a warm feeling whenever Ethan nuzzled his arm.
Then one night, Ethan looked up at Norman and said, "If you kiss me, I will become a shimmering prince."
Norman screamed softly, he was so surprised. How could a cat talk? He must have dropped off and dreamed it.
"You're not dreaming," Ethan said. "Kiss me."
"Don't tell anyone I screamed like that," Norman said and kissed Ethan on his head. The air swirled and suddenly, there stood a shimmering prince! With a crown and everything!
"I'm Prince Ethan," he said. "I was cursed. It's a long story."
"Is it really you?" Norman said.
"See?" Ethan said and showed Norman the scar from the spoon on his ear. Then he kissed Norman and they tumbled on the bed and did a lot of very soft things, some of them involving a gentle mouth.
"I love you," Ethan said when they were done. Norman clasped him close and they lived together happily ever after on all the prince treasure Ethan had stashed away.
