{D-4-A}

Making your way to the tree, you notice a black and white kitten with a stubby little, plume-like tail, entangled in the vine-like growth of the higher branches. Stretching one of its forepaws as far as it goes, the little cat reaches futilely toward what appears to be a bronze and wooden plaque wedged into the end of one of the branches.

“Oh, it‘s just a silly cat that’s stuck in the tree,” Tasi says.

“Does it need our help?” Lolo asks.

“Of course it does,” Tasi says.

“I’m not silly, and I’m not stuck!” the kitten says.

“I didn’t think you could hear us,” Singer says. “You are quite a way up there.”

“I can climb up there and help,” you say.

“The kitten said it isn’t stuck,” Singer says. “Should we ask if it wants our help. We don’t want to offend it.”

“You can’t help but offend cats,” Tasi says. “They get stuck in trees all the time and need rescuing. This one isn’t smart enough to realize that.”

“We can grab that plaque too, while we’re at it,” Lolo says.

The kitten reaches out even more, indicating that it wants to get to the plaque before you try to get it.

You say:

“That’s a good idea, Tasi and Lolo. I’ll bring both of them down out of that tree.” {D-5-B}

“I agree with Singer. Let’s ask it if it wants our help.” {D-5-A}