You Can't Swim in These by Simon John James II - HTML preview

Apology

Colin Cat and Brian Bird were normally great friends. But one day, the peace between them was shattered.

Colin Cat was purring lazily on the roof. Brian Bird was more bored than usual. So he decided to dive onto Colin Cat from a great height, and repeatedly peck him with his beak. 

Afterwards, Brian Bird thought about what he had done. “I’m so sorry about that, Colin,” he said. 

“I do not accept your apology,” said Colin Cat. “I’m not sure you know what an apology really means.”

“You are a very small cat indeed, for not accepting my apology,” said Brian Bird.

“Nothing like an adult cat at all.”

 “I cannot accept it,” said Colin Cat. “Your attack has given me severe and painful heart vibrations.”

“I did not know. What can I possibly do to encourage you to accept my apology?” asked Brian Bird.

“You must provide proof you truly are apologetic. I want you to deliver one thousand duck corpses to the Duck Investigation Vivisection Yard, the d.i.v.y.” “Why duck corpses?” asked Brian Bird.

“Ducks are birds,” replied Colin Cat.

“Oh. Anyway. I cannot do that,” said Brian Bird. “That is against my principles, supporting such a cause.”

“Then your apology his dishonest. You must decide what is more important. Me or duck corpses. If you truly mean your apology, you must sacrifice your principles, if only for a short time, because of the agony I was in, after you attacked me.”

“I do not agree to do it,” said Brian Bird. “If I am ever to feel safe around you again, and for any chance of my heart pain to go away, that is what you must do,” said Colin Cat. “Alright. I agree to make the delivery,” said Brian Bird.

“Thank you,” said Colin Cat. “Then I can begin to trust you again.”

“I will do as you request. I promise,” said Brian Bird.

“When I see proof that you have done so, I can forgive you, and talk to you again,” said Colin Cat. He started purring with happiness again on the fence.

Brian Bird flew off, relieved that he was beginning to regain a valued friend.