Tom is sixty-five years old. He lives in a small house near the river. He likes his garden, his books and his . He does not like cats.
One evening, Tom hears a sound at the door. He opens it. A black cat is sitting there. It has green eyes and a white nose.
“Go home,” says Tom. The cat does not move. It looks at him.
The next evening, the cat is there again. And the next evening. Every day at six o’clock, it sits at his door and waits.
On Friday, it is cold and wet. The cat is small and thin. “Are you ?” Tom asks. He goes to the and puts some fish in a . The cat eats it very fast.
After that, Tom puts food in the bowl every evening. He gives the cat a name: Pepper. Pepper sits in the garden with Tom, and Tom reads his books to her. She is a good listener.
One Sunday, Pepper does not come. Tom waits and waits. He is sad. The house is too quiet now.
Then, at seven o’clock, he hears a sound. He opens the door. Pepper is there, and she has a for him: three very small black kittens.
Tom laughs. “OK,” he says. “Come in. All of you.”
Words from the Story
- evening noun A1
- the part of the day after the afternoon and before night
- alone adjective A1
- without other people
- quiet adjective A1
- calm, with very little noise
- hungry adjective A1
- wanting or needing food
- bowl noun A1
- a round, deep dish for food or drink
- kitchen noun A1
- the room where you cook food
- surprise noun A1
- something you do not expect
Check Your Understanding
- What does Tom like?
- When does the cat come to Tom's door?
- Why does Tom give the cat food on Friday?
- How does Tom feel when Pepper does not come?
- What is Pepper's surprise?