Tailspin

“When are you going to fly again?” asked Samson. Bear was busy washing his tail and the question took him aback. He hadn’t realized how long it had been since he had last flown with Mr. Kolkoski.

“I don’t know,” answered Bear, “but I’m going to find out.”

After stretching, Bear asked, “Are you coming?”

“Now?” asked Samson, “Yeah, come one, let’s go find out.”

Bear and Samson went downstairs and stared at the Kolkoskis who were having a conversation at the dinner table.

“I don’t mean to change the topic, Howard,” said Mrs. Kolkoski, “but… the cats are staring at us.”

Looking at the cats, Mr. Kolkoski agreed that the cats were indeed staring at them.

“Maybe they’re hungry,” he said shrugging his shoulders.

“Those two are always hungry, but I don’t think they’ve ever stared at us like that,” observed Tarie Kolkoski adding, “do you mind if we continue our conversation later?”

“Not at all,” answered Mr. Kolkoski getting up to stretch, “I’m getting a little hungry myself.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Mrs. Kolkoski going into the kitchen. She expected the cats to follow her, but they did not. Instead, they continued staring at Mr. Kolkoski.

Looking at the cats, Mr. Kolkoski said, “Well, you two are going to have to speak up, I can’t read your minds, you know.”

“We would please like to know when you are planning your next helicopter flight,” said Samson. But all Mr. Kolkoski heard was a series of polite meows.

When the cats saw Mr. Kolkoski’s puzzled expression, Bear tried asking and Mr. Kolkoski heard, “Marau aarah agamarau mgan?”

Mr. Kolkoski said, “That was very articulate, Bear, but I have no idea what you’re trying to tell me.”

From the kitchen, Tarie Kolkoski called out, “I think the cats want to know when you’re going to take them flying!”

“Wait, how do you know that? Did you understand that?” asked Mr. Kolkoski perplexed.

“No, of course not,” laughed Mrs. Kolkoski, “I’m just messing with you. I have no idea what those two could possibly want.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Mr. Kolkoski said, “You had me worried there for a moment.”

He was just about to turn away from them when Samson said to Bear, “Do your tail spinning thing, that will get his attention.”

Bear spun his tail like he did when he first decided he wanted to be a helicopter pilot. Seeing him spin his tail, Mr. Kolkoski said, “Tarie, I don’t know how you did it, but I think you’re right!”