Zayd stepped into the noisy marketplace. He saw something white behind a stack of clay pots.
He crouched and reached out his hand. The shape flickered and darted behind a hanging lantern.
White footsteps led him past spice sacks and colorful rugs. 'Look what I found!' called a vendor.
Zayd peeked under a woven blanket and gasped. A tiny mouse scurried away. 'Not a mouse,' he whispered.
He tiptoed toward a shop window full of shiny coins. His sandals slapped on the stone path.
Then a soft purr floated through the air like a sleepy drumbeat. Zayd leaned closer to the window.
She was a fluffy white cat curled on a velvet cushion. She blinked slowly at him.
Her tail curled around his finger like a question mark. He held very still.
The shopkeeper smiled and opened the window. The cat hopped down and pressed her head into his palm.
Warm vibrations hummed in his hand. Zayd smiled and held her close.
The marketplace bells rang. Zayd walked home with the cat nestled in his arms.
The cat purred all the way. Zayd knew he had found something special.