A Friend in Need

In Switzerland, it's illegal to keep a guinea pig by himself. They're intensely social creatures.

Boris' family didn't know this.

Boris was an easygoing creature with ginger fur, an expressive face, and a twitchy nose.

He lived in a cramped hutch, which wasn't cleaned often enough. He didn't have enough vitamin C, nor get out in the fresh air. No fresh veggies for days, and then far too many, which rotted, making his eyes water.

Boris had had enough. He gnawed and pulled on the mesh at the front corner of the hutch. You've never seen such an industrious critter, so determined to feel the sun on his back, and grass under his feet. When his whiskers told him the hole was big enough, he wriggled out, making a beeline for the lawn.

He gorged himself on the freshest greens he'd ever tasted, then looked for a place to snooze. The breeze rustled the hedgerow above him. His dreams had never been so sweet, his snores so contented.

When he woke, he went exploring, and found a hole by the gate. His whiskers said it would be ok, but his whiskers hadn't got the memo about his (by now very tubby) middle. He got his front through, and then it went wrong. He heaved and squeezed, but he just got stucker.

He squealed in panic, then heard a voice.

"Shhhh! You're going to attract Cats!"

Boris gulped down another terrified squeak.

"Hold on," it said, "I'm coming."

Boris had never seen a mirror, but if he had he might've thought he was looking in one now. "Hold still," said his rescuer, and started nibbling.

It took ages. Before he was done, the stink of Cat wafted towards them.

They were lucky: it was a housecat. Curious but fat, lazy, and slow. Boris was free at last, and legged it after his rescuer.

They scurried through a mesh hole similar to the one he'd left a few hours before. A calico paw reached in, claws extended, but Boris and his new pal sat out of reach in the roomy pen, nibbling carrots and getting acquainted.

"They call me Alphonse," said the brave guinea pig. "Who are you?"

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Word count, excluding note: 366 Submitted on Tuesday 18th June at 22.15

*Quick Author's Note* First, and most importantly: thank you so much for reading my story! The ha'penny that Vocal will toss in my hat for your eyeballs landing on this humble piece will be well-spent.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 170 day streak since 1st January.

Please do consider lending your support to the other creators who are also on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They are putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

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Thank you! Thank you again, most sincerely. Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! 😁 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +