Full screen recommended.
"He Left the Door Open and Let the Cat Decide"
"Every morning, Martha's black cat, Purl, visits the brush maker Fergus. She rubs against his boots and rests in the sunlight inside his workshop. One morning, his hurried sweeping frightens her away. Fergus hasn't struck Purl or meant to chase her off. But his sudden movements and the scraping broom have made a familiar place feel unsafe. The next morning, the sunny patch beside his stool is empty. While out collecting a basket he ordered, Fergus looks for her. In the laundry courtyard, Florence notices Purl hiding beneath a bench and steps back. Fergus reaches toward the cat too quickly, and she retreats again. Later, he watches Imogen put down water and walk away. Only then does Purl feel comfortable enough to drink. At Bramwell's basket workshop, Fergus collects the shallow basket originally intended for his brush-making materials. For a moment, he hopes something comfortable might win Purl back. But when he visits Martha, Purl still pulls away from his hand. This time, he stops reaching and leaves without her. Back at his workshop, Fergus puts the bristles in the basket, stores it beneath the workbench, and puts the broom away. He clears the path to the open door. When Purl visits again, he stays seated. She takes her time before stepping inside and settling beside his boot. He doesn't reach to stroke her or close the door. Purl is still Martha's cat. What Fergus has regained is her willingness to visit, on her own terms. A gentle story from Three Quarter Town about rebuilding trust through changed behavior, patience, and the freedom to choose."
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