The main character in Throw Away Kitten, Charlie McBean, has had the same dream for years: to have a golden kitten of his very own. For now, he sleeps with a stuffed golden kittie.
When he visits his new neighbour for the first time, he and his sister Cavell see a car stop at the end of the driveway and leave something behind. Here’s what happens.
A weird noise came from the bushes where the stranger from the car had placed the item. Charlie was certain it wasn’t a goat. It was too screechy to be Gracie. He and Cavell reached the front of the bushes and found a closed box. Suddenly it moved, making both of them jump back.
“It’s alive!” cried Cavell.
“Boxes can’t be alive. Little sisters,” he said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He leant forward and listened. The same screechy noise he heard earlier came from inside.
“Why would anyone give Mr. Hoffman a screeching box?” asked Cavell.
“It might be an animal for the farm,” said Charlie, feeling proud for thinking up the idea. “Maybe it’s a baby.”
“A baby! Who’d put a baby in a box.” She scrunched up her nose. “Why would Mr. Hoffman want a baby?”
He shrugged his shoulders and pulled open the flap on the brown box. Inside were four kittens: one golden coloured, one grey and two black.
“This is a surprise!” said Cavell.
This is the surprise Charlie has always wanted. While there were four kittens in that box, only one of them captured his attention and had the potential to fulfill his dreams.