tahaM5

I never thought I would actually do this, but here I am, on a cargo ship going who knows where. The soft, pulsing hum of the engine permeates the room as I sit quietly on the cold, metallic floor. I turn and see the Earth, glowing bright and blue against the infinite inky black nothing of the void, gradually get smaller. I lift myself and amble up next to the window, where I plant myself. Next to me stands a potted plant, its arms reaching out to the window as if it, too, is saying goodbye to its home for the last time. They say that fate works in funny ways -- one day you're eating a tuna sandwich in your human's apartment safe and sound on Earth, the next you're leaving everything you've ever known to risk your tail on some distant world in a forgotten corner of the Universe because you've always known that there was never anything for you back home -- if you could even call it that. Though the plant and I find ourselves in the same place, there is one fundamental aspect that separates myself from the plant: I decided. I made the conscious decision to leave because I wanted more out of my life, and though my future is uncertain, I can rest knowing that whatever happens now was because I chose my own path, just as everyone has the power to do so. Each of us is the master of our own destinies. Each of us knows best what will make us happy. Each of us has the ability to make life a wonderful adventure, where we can all be happy and set ourselves free of that which constrains us because each of us has a life that is unique to any other, a life with stories worth telling and experiences worth having, lives that need not -- SHOULD not -- be wasted with complacency and contentment. As I sit, I wonder if my new home -- if I find one -- will be better than my last. I decide to leave that as a question that only time can answer. For now, I permit the thrum of the engine to carry me to my dreams, and go to sleep.

Once upon a time, I was just a tiny kitten, born in a litter with my siblings. We were born in a warm, cozy place, and our mother took good care of us. But even as a young kitten, I knew that I was different from my siblings. While they were content to nap and play, I was always curious and adventurous. As I grew older, I began to explore the world around me. I climbed trees, chased after butterflies, and even snuck into the neighbor's garden to chase after birds. I loved the feeling of the wind in my fur and the sun on my back. But one day, everything changed. I was out exploring when a big dog appeared out of nowhere. I tried to run, but he was faster than me. Before I knew it, he had caught me in his jaws and was shaking me back and forth. I thought it was the end for me, but then a human appeared and chased the dog away. The human scooped me up in their arms and took me to a warm, safe place. They cleaned my wounds and gave me food and water. From that day on, I knew that humans were to be trusted. I became friendly with the humans who had rescued me, and I would often come up to them and purr. They would pet me and talk to me, and I would curl up in their laps and fall asleep. As I grew older, I became more independent. I would still come to the humans for food and affection, but I also spent more time exploring the world around me. I had many adventures, and I met other cats and animals along the way. But no matter where I went or what I did, I always knew that the humans were there for me. They had saved me from danger and given me a warm, safe place to call home. And even though I was a cat, I knew that I was loved.