Badger the Mystical Mutt and the Crumpled Capers (7 page)

As Timmy stepped into the lane, he came face to face with Pogo Paws, Pickle, Lennie and Snif, who surrounded him.

Snif leaned in to Timmy's crumpled ear and, in a menacing whisper, said: “So, do you still want to join our gang, Snotty Nose?”

“Yes, but I understand why you don't like cats now,” he answered bravely.

“It's not
all
cats. Just you,” shouted Pogo Paws.

“Yes, it's only crumpled snivelling cats that we dislike,” added Pickle.

“I think you're okay for a cat,” said Lennie affectionately.

“Zip it, Lennie! It's not just him … it's
all
cats. They're rotten to the core,” spat Snif.

The gang looked at their leader, surprised
at just how completely anti-cat he was.

“I saw what happened to you before, with the cat, Snif,” offered Timmy.

“What do you mean? Saw what?” sneered Snif.

“I saw you chasing that tomcat and getting caught on the railings.”

Snif looked uneasy, turned to his gang and joked: “I have no idea what he's talking about. Maybe we should add ‘daftness' to Timmy's list of freaky features.”

“But I saw it. It was awful how the cat just left you on that spike. Can I see your scar?”

Instinctively, Snif held his paws to his side, as he felt the familiar itch of his scar, bringing back painful memories from years before. He shuddered.

“You told me you wrestled an escaped tiger to the ground, and that's how you got your scar,” said Pickle, a bit puzzled.

Snif winced and shifted uncomfortably on his paws.

“And you told me that you were wounded when you tamed a bull, like a matador,” said Pogo Paws, a little peeved.

“I thought you said you grappled a crocodile in the pond to save the ducks,” added a disappointed Lennie.

“It was none of those,” said Timmy. “It was just a cat.”

Snif looked away in shame.

“Badger showed me,” continued Timmy. “And thank goodness he did, because I want you to know, Snif, that all cats aren't like the one who left you bleeding there that day.”

Snif turned round sharply and snorted in rage: “Badger? Why is he filling your head with this nonsense?”

“But it's
not
nonsense,” pleaded Timmy.

“We'll soon see about that,” barked Snif, as he raced off to find Badger.

“Oh no, what have I done?” worried Timmy.

In Badger's garden, all was not well. His secret stash of toast was looking very soggy. Badger's easy un-freezy spell was not working out as planned. He peered into the puddle in front of him, at the leftovers of his wonky spell. Suddenly, in the reflection, he spotted a shadow behind him. His neckerchief twitched in warning.

Badger spun around, to see Snif skulking at the bottom of his garden, looking like he was about to pounce.

Very quietly, Badger spoke to his red-spotted neckerchief:
“Show Koo Ray, Show Koo Ray, Show Koo Ray 'Chief, shield me quickly from this angry stray.”

Without hesitation, 'Chief flew off Badger's neck and headed straight for a nearby tree. Slicing the icicles off its branches in one swift motion, 'Chief fired
them one by one into the frosty ground around Snif, encircling him in a cage of ice.

“Let me out, let me out, you meddling mutt,” begged Snif.

The neckerchief flew back and wrapped itself snugly around Badger's neck.

“Thank you,” said Badger, tapping 'Chief softly in appreciation. “Now,” said Badger,
walking around the circle of icicles which held Snif captive. “What has got you so angry, my friend?”

“Friend? Friend? You're no friend of mine,” said Snif enraged. “Why did you tell Timmy about my scar, and how do
you
know about that anyway?”

“It doesn't matter how I know. What matters is that you believe that Timmy isn't like the cat that left you that day.”

Snif started to get agitated again as he remembered the pain of the spike.

“Cats are all the same: cunning, sneaky and vicious,” he spat.

“But it's the same for dogs, some would say. Most are really nice, but the odd one isn't,” said Badger softly.

“At least when we wag our tails, it means we're happy and friendly. When a cat wags its tail, it's not that simple,” said Snif.

“True. And that's maybe where this confusion comes from. Just a misunderstanding about tail-wagging.”

Snif thought for a moment, then listened
as Badger continued. “There isn't a line drawn with dogs on one side and cats on the other. Yes, we
are
different, but we're all on the same side. We breathe the same air and we live under the same sky.”

“But Timmy's even more different than most cats,” said Snif.

“And that's another reason you should be less harsh towards him. He's struggling to fit in, especially with you lot calling him names and excluding him,” said Badger.

“But that stuff that comes out of his nose is disgusting, and even some of the Big Folk don't want to pick him up with his crumpled ear.”

“How would you feel if that happened to you?” asked Badger.

“Well, I don't do much rolling over for tummy rubs because of my scar,” said Snif.

“Exactly!” said Badger. “So, think how Timmy feels when everyone can see his unusual ear? He can't hide it.”

“I didn't think about it like that,” said Snif thoughtfully.

“Anyway,” added Badger, “you should be proud of your scar. You survived. It's part of you, and it's part of your history.”

As the icicles around him began to melt, Snif touched the wound on his side with new affection.

“He did manage the tasks you set him, against all the odds,” said Badger.

“He certainly did, although I suffered as a result,” smiled Snif, revealing his missing teeth.

“Imagine if you could turn Timmy's skills to your advantage and use them for the good of the gang.”

“I suppose, but I can't see how the gang would ever accept a cat.”

“You're the leader. Persuade them,” said Badger. “Oh, look at that. You're free to go. Your cage has melted.”

Snif stepped across the puddles of water surrounding him and left Badger's garden with his heart a little lighter.

Further up the lane, an almighty sneeze was rumbling along in the breeze. A very determined Timmy was on his way to see Snif.

“Snif, Snif!” shouted Timmy as he caught sight of the gang's leader further up the lane, “Wait, I've had an idea”

Snif stopped in his tracks as the little cat ran to catch him up.

“I've been thinking,” said Timmy, “and I've come up with the task to end all tasks; a challenge that is bigger than anything you've set me yet.”

“I've been thinking too, Timmy,” said Snif gently.

Just then, the rest of the gang appeared and interrupted them.

“Well, did you sort out that Mystical Mutt then?” asked Pogo Paws

“Yes, did you show him who's boss?” said Pickle.

“Did he give you any of his secret toast
stash?” asked Lennie hopefully.

Pogo Paws and Pickle looked at Lennie in despair.

“Yes, I did see Badger,” said Snif gruffly. “He won't be bothering me again.”

The gang looked at Timmy, who was hopping from one paw to the other, desperate to share his idea.

“Timmy's got an idea for the final task,” said Snif. “Come on then … spill!”

“Okay, it's a tree task. Now don't worry, it doesn't involve rolling tree trunks down hills,” said Timmy.

Snif winced.

“So, as it's winter, the old oak tree at the other end of the lane usually has mistletoe up on its highest branches about now.”