Princess Raufa's Most Beloved Cat

The sun had just began to shine beautifully when a cute baby girl was born in the palace of the Aryanshah Kingdom. The king named her Princess Raufa. The name Raufa was derived from the word Ra’uf, meaning merciful. Princess Raufa grew up to be a pretty girl. She loved to play with her cats. Unfortunately, because she’s so busy spending time with them, sometimes she forgot one important thing, which is playing with her friends.

One day, the king asked Princess Raufa to go on a vacation at one of his castles.

“Take a vacation at our castle in the Pine Valley. The place is so wonderful. You can ask your cousins, Sultan and Saras, to come along with you.” said the King.

“But, I want to bring Snowy, my most beloved cat.” Said Princess Raufa.

The following day, Princess Raufa went to the castle in the Pine Valley. Sultan and Saras came along with her. Princess Raufa seldom talked with her cousins.

“Snowy, look, it’s so beautiful outside.” Princess Raufa kept talking to her beloved cat.

“Meow..” Snow answered.

After a long journey by the golden carriage, they finally arrived at the beautiful castle in the Pine Valley. Close to the castle there was a pretty and clean village.

“It must be enjoyable to play with the children of the village.” Said Saras.

“Yes, you should go. I am going to play with Snowy in my room.” Said Princess Raufa.

Because the journey was very tiring, after Dzhur prayer and having lunch, Princess Raufa fell soundly asleep. When she woke up, she was worried because she could not find Snowy around.

“Where is Snowy?” Princess Raufa wondered.

She immediately asked the maids. But no one saw the cat. Then, Princess Raufa looked for Sultan and Saras who were playing in the yard.

“Did you see Snowy? It’s not in my room.” Asked Princess Raufa.

“No, we did not. Maybe it ran away!” Sultan predicated.

“Oh dear, poor Snowy. It will be lost if indeed it ran away.” Princess Raufa looked sad.

“What if we ask the villagers?” Saras suggested.

They agreed with Saras’s suggestion.

The three of them visited the village. It seemed that many children were in their age. Their names were Neubrina, Tiar, Aga, Kamal, Hadi, Zidan, and many more. They varied in their behaviours as well. One was a funny, another one was coward, and another one was prone to imitating what other people said.

It was already dusk, but no one had found Snowy.

“Let’s get ready to perform the Maghrib prayer. Afterwards we’ll help you to find the cat.” Neubrina promised.

The other children also made the same promise. Princess Raufa, Sultan, and Saras returned to the castle.

“Meow..”

Suddenly, the heard Snowy’s voice when Princess Raufa entered her room. Oh dear, it seemed that Snowy had been sleeping under the bed. Sultan and Saras were also happy.

“So, we don’t have to go back to the village.” Said Sultan.

“It’s full moon, right? I want to play with the villagers in the evening. It must be fun to play with them.” said Princess Raufa.

Sultan and Saras were thankful because Princess Raufa did not want to play only with her cat. The hoped that in the future Princess Raufa loved not only her cat, but also the people of the kingdom.