Jacob walked down the sunny street. His boots went click-clack on the sidewalk. Twenty days until Christmas.
Something moved beside a closed shop. A tiny kitten sat shivering on the cold stones. Jacob crouched down.
"Hey there," Jacob whispered. The kitten let out a squeaky little meow. It did not run away.
Jacob unwrapped his striped scarf and wrapped it gently around the kitten. Only its little nose poked out. The kitten sneezed — a tiny dramatic sneeze. Jacob laughed out loud.
Jacob filled a small basin with warm soapy water and lowered the kitten in. The kitten scrambled out, splashing everywhere.
On the second try, the kitten stayed still. Its whiskers twitched in the warm water. Jacob dried it with a soft towel.
The kitten's fur fluffed up into a tiny cloud. Jacob set it on a soft pillow by the radiator.
The kitten curled up, then suddenly opened its eyes wide. It let out the loudest purr Jacob had ever heard — it rattled the pillow. The kitten stretched, yawned, and head-butted Jacob's hand.
Jacob fell asleep reading by the radiator. The kitten curled into a warm ball on his lap.
The next morning, tiny paws tapped on Jacob's pillow. He opened his eyes.
The kitten purred and rolled onto its back, showing its belly. Jacob lay still and watched the snow fall.
Nineteen days until Christmas. Jacob smiled and rested his chin on his hand.