Heart of Oak – Terry Voyle – 2000 words (Children’s fantasy age 5 – 10)

Acorn the prodigal "sea cat" abandoned and lost as a kitten, befriended by lame john, a sailor of the king.  Now Acorn's adventures start, cared for by greasy Westcott, mentored by Horatio the crusty 1st "sea cat" aboard the good ship Royal Oak.

Heart of Oak

I could feel the cold rain on my fur, feel the icy wind against my face and feel the hunger in my belly.  It was dark and I felt so lost and alone. Where my mum, brothers and sisters were I do not know, in fact I never found out.

“What’s this then”, a voiced boomed, it was loud, though not nasty, but I was frightened.  “Shiver me timbers, why it’s a little kitten”, the human said.  “Soaking wet and freezing, shivering all over.  Why, it can only be just weaned, no sign of the mother, must be abandoned.

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