The Catbyrd Seat Read Online Free Page A

widened. He had never gotten involved with local politics before, but it certainly seemed unfair to him that mice were getting kicked out of their homes so that the cats could have some sport.
    “And if they’re taking prisoners from the dungeons and using them as prey in their hunts,” Cociel added. “That could mean my mother. You know that she’s among the prisoners.”
    “I do, I do,” Mr. Byrd said sadly, shaking his head.
    “Well, I can’t let them do it, Mr. Byrd, I simply can’t.”
    “But what is there to be done? There is nothing that can be done!”
    “Yes, there is. That might be everyone else’s attitude, but not mine. There is something to be done and that’s why I need your help.”
    “Me? How am I supposed to help you?”
    “There’s an election coming up in two weeks and I want you to stand.”
    There was a moment as Mr. Byrd took in what Cociel was saying. Then, he began to laugh. High pitched, guffawing laughter that ruffled his feathers and sent some of them fluttering off his body and into the air.
    Cociel sat back and glowered at him, folding his arms across his chest. “I’m not joking,” he pouted. “This is serious.”
    “Oh, I know it’s serious, I know it’s serious, but surely, you must be joking,” Mr. Byrd protested in between bouts of laughter.
    “I’m not,” Cociel insisted. “None of the mice are brave enough to stand up to the cats. And certainly none of the cats are going to stand up to the cats, because they don’t care about the mice enough to do so; they’re only interested in themselves and their own interests. The only animal who could possibly stand up to the cats is you.”
    “My dear boy,” said Mr. Byrd in amazement. “There are hundreds of animals that live in Huntsville, hundreds of animals that aren’t mice or cats. Why don’t you go and pick one of them instead of me? Maybe someone more suited to the task, like an elephant or a lion. Someone big or…. fierce.”
    “The elephants and lions all work for the cats and are loyal to them. All the biggest and fiercest animals are under employment of the cats and are paid well. You know that as well as I do.”
    “Someone else. There must be someone else,” Mr Byrd protested weakly. “There’s hundred of animals in Huntsville.”
    “So you keep saying, but there’s only one of them whom I admire and trust, and that’s you.”
    Mr. Byrd’s protesting fell silent. He couldn’t deny that he was touched by the faith Cociel had him, but he still couldn’t see that a small, weak bird like himself could do anything to change the status quo.
    “But…I don’t have any credentials,” he whispered. “What makes you think I’m better qualified than anyone else?”
    “Because you actually care about the mice,” answered Cociel. “I know you do. Otherwise you wouldn’t teach them and risk getting caught.”
    “I’ve never really thought about the consequences,” Mr. Byrd admitted with a shrug. “Nobody bothers me here in my little bookshop. Surely no one would mind if I helped out a few mice.”
    “Well yes actually, they would. You know that, but you did it anyway. Why? Because you believe that every mouse has a right to a good education.”
    “Every animal does, my dear boy, every animal.”
    “Exactly. Including mice.”
    “Including mice.”
    “Therefore, you’re a champion of mouse rights.”
    “I’d hardly describe myself as a champion,” mumbled Mr. Byrd. “Besides, I don’t know anything about politics, and I’m not very confident.”
    “That’s not true,” insisted Cociel. “You’re the owner of a book shop. The only book store in the whole of Huntsville, in fact. You have a decent selection on the subject of politics and I’m certain you’ve read at least a few of them, if not all.”
    Mr. Byrd said nothing, although he felt his cheeks blushing a little beneath their feathers. Cociel was right. He had read all the books. He’d never thought of that