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Ma'di, Our Neighbor's Cat
This week’s ASEAN Hive contest is about cats, and I want to share a small story about our neighbor cat named Made, short for Madeline. Her name sounds like Ma -di '. She is not officially our cat, but in her heart, I think she recognized us now as her friends too.
Made lives next door, she lie down near our isle going to our rooms. Rex is friend neighbor too. Whenever Rex and I arrive home from work, tired and quiet, she suddenly appears. Her tail wiggles happily, and she walks toward us with confidence, as if saying, “You are finally home.” That moment always makes my heart soft.
Rex and Made became friends very naturally. Rex talks to her, and Made listens. Sometimes she answers with a soft meow, sometimes with a slow blink. She follows us inside the house without fear, walking carefully like she knows the rules. She does not rush, she does not demand. She just stays close, enjoying our presence.
What I love most about Made is her calm energy. She does not need toys or loud attention. She sits near us, watches our movements, and sometimes rests beside the door, guarding our small space. After a long day at work, her quiet companionship feels like comfort.
Made reminds me that friendship does not always need words. Sometimes it comes with a wagging tail, gentle steps, and loyalty without ownership. She may be our neighbor’s cat, but every day, she chooses to greet us, follow us, and trust us.
Whenever we eat at the dining table, Made always comes near us. She looks up, sits politely, and acts like she is asking for food. Of course, we feel sorry for her and give her a little. But surprisingly, she does not like to eat it. She smells the food, looks at us, then walks away. It feels like we misunderstood her intention.
Later we realized that Made is more interested in playing than eating. She is always alert, watching the walls and corners of the house. Her favorite activity is catching lizards. When she sees one, she becomes very focused and playful. She catches it gently, plays with it for a while, but never eats it. It is like a game for her, not hunting.
Made reminds me that companionship does not always mean food or ownership. Sometimes it is just presence, play, and trust. She may be our neighbor’s cat, but every day, she chooses to be part of our home.
In this busy world, Made teaches me something simple: love can be soft, silent, and still very real.🐱✨