AMAZING
ADVENTURES OF A TAIL-LESS CAT ON
A KEEL-LESS BOAT!
SIXTH TRUE
FAIRYTALE
SEATTLE –
PORTLAND, USA:
CAT WITH THE
EDITED TAIL
From Seattle we are sailing to the nearest
Tacoma: sister-city with Vladivostok. Many friendly and responsive people we
meet here. In small shipyards of Don Slater and after Ron Streich we stay for
routine repair: ceiling leaking there, rain falls on head; some shrouds
necessary to change; some board sides shabby, require paint. From morning up to
evening we are knocking, sawing, shaving and painting. And, of course, always
viewing our new crew member.
The longer we have Koozya – and we study him
every day, attentively watching his habits – more kindly we love him.
What an amusing little miracle we had
acquired!
Koozya’s stump is so small that the
full-fledged, proud word “tail” simply does not apply. It is prettily decorated
by a tuft of long and silky hair, black as pitch.
Our new resident very emotionally uses
this laconic means to express the whole gamut of his feelings – from ecstatic
rapture to the deepest indignation. Felines use their tails as a second
language.
But Koozya does not have a tail. It is
just like a black rose in a goblet!
When he gets mad, his emotional indicator
flies from side to side nervously and sharply.
When he is in a merry mood, rubbing at our
feet with the best possible disposition, his black extremity leaps about like a
swallowtail butterfly.
Seeing a bird standing on deck or on a
railing, our purrer lowers himself immediately, assuming an attack position,
ready to leap at his prey like lightning. Flattened against the deck boards,
the four-footed hunter begins to rattle his rear end and crawl in a most
amusing manner. Meanwhile his tail, what there is of it, waves like a military
banner in the wind in anticipation of attack!
Cats normally have identical paws,
pointing forward, the pads on the hind paws synchronized with those of the
forepaws when they walk. But we received a most unusual model as a resident.
Koozya’s hind paws are covered with such
long and thick growth that it looks as if he has put on a pair of broad and
sumptuous trousers. In addition, these extremities are bent in the shape of a
lyre! That is, his hind pads, unlike those on his forepaws, point sideways. And
if you look at Koozya when he walks away from you, you can’t help laughing. He
waves his rear end so grandly and casually, that no model such as Claudia
Schiffer or Cindy Crawford could compete with him!
Just try to imagine this black and white
little imp:
Two huge and curious green eyes…
A face with an eternally mischievous
expression…
Instead of legs, four leaping springs,
untiring from morning to night…
And inside there is a small perpetual
motion machine. And this little motor for days on end carries our Koozya from
cabin to deck, from deck to mast, from mast to galley as if he has been wound
up. A kind and amusing wood sprite has come to live with us. Like Figaro –
Koozya here, Koozya there! Wherever cat goes - he improves our moods! He is
like warm soul, good spirit of our expedition. Just in no circumstances he
doesn’t want to be home alone: always crying. He was born such a companionable
guy. Koozya’s mother has diploma of engineer-designer of clothes, sewing to her
fluffy baby small backpack and we by any opportunity go to the beach by full
crew.
After hot day we love, when are burning
candles of the stars, sit on deck and talk.
Once cat asked me, what did I do in my
previous, pre-seaman life:
“I worked in Moscow, in the biggest
newspaper around the world. With the daily circulation 22 million… I’ve been a
reporter as long, as it was interesting for me… I flew to the North Pole, I
crossed the equator, dove to the sea bottom and climbed mountains, met with
many unusual people. But, unfortunately, newspaper lives only one day. After
reading, together with your big thoughts and high emotions people throw out
paper straight to the trash can… But the most horrible in any newspaper –
editor…”
“What kind of animal he is?” – curious
Koozya.
“You see, outside he looks like as a
normal human being. But the more he is cowardly, the more money he gets. But
it’s not all, in big newspapers two editors on each reporter. The journalist
will write big and good article, but editor mercilessly cuts it, will make it
small and bad. How to explain it for you more intelligible? For example, if you
would have long and beautiful tail. But in yourself it was cut up to ars…
hhmmm… up to back. That’s mean: your tail been e-d-i-t-e-d… That’s way once I
decided never ever to depend on editors – only on luck and wind. And changed
the pen to tiller, dusty blinds of cabinet – for fluttering sail… But right now
you see what I am doing – adopting homeless cats in different ports…
Koozya grows not by days – by hours. Young
and curious sailor each minute has hundreds of questions.
On TV shows documentary film about the
war. He is immediately asking me, why people fighting? Should I know, why! But
anyway all different reasons I am trying to reduce to the common denominator
and answer: for money. The same time was born another question: and what is – money?
I put my hand in pocket and taking out a few green shabby denominations... Cat
looking them closer, rustling paper… And making terrifying his decision:
“People kill each other… for paper?! –
from horror his eyes turning to the circles. – I had much better opinion about
double-legged creatures…”
So am I, my darling!
Or near the midnight on TV goes
advertising of meat. Right here it hissing on frying-pan, tasty reddening,
frying up to the brown crust… After knife slowly cutting rosy lump, a man
putting juicy slice in mouth and from incredible pleasure screwing up his eyes
under forehead… My unsophisticated collocutor begins to be indignant: well, you
are together with mom teaching me – to eat before night is harmful. But here
tempt by different delicious. You had a good supper, but these colourful
pictures make my mouth water. And you don’t mind to put something else into
mouth before bedtime. Why doctors didn’t prohibit so late advertisement of
food?” – asking curious cat.
“Because it’s profitable here for
everyone. The owner of a TV station receives good money for advertising. The
owner of supermarket is glad – people would buy from him more meat. And doctor
is happy. He knows for sure absolutely– more people eat, especially meat, and before
sleep – they will be much sicker…
“Doctors want here people not to be
healthy, but… ill?!” – is perplexed shocking Koozma.
“Sure! They would treat people a little
bit and will take from them a lot of paper, that is to say – money… Here each
third dragging buttocks by ground – because that, who eat too much, buying a
big close, fat and sick – he is beneficial to anyone… but skinny vegetarian,
chewing lean grass, who needs him? Zero profit from him… Alas! Such the laws of
free trade market…”
“Free from what? From fairness?” – puzzled
purrer. – “How it could be, that bad means good? – he is scratching his
occiput. – No, such tasks not for cat’s brain…”
For our bon voyage ceremony in Tacoma
coming a few hundred citizens. They are very warmly bidding farewell to us and
deputy director of port Tacoma Donald Meyer after ceremonial speech strongly
shaking our hands. Further on our way we make a stop in Everett – concomitant
of Seattle, where “Boeing” produces planes. Here for parting evening from close
and far cities came over sixty people – our most close friends, whom we met
recently. I am peering at their faces, which became so dear for us. About
everybody you can write a book. We are hugging wonderful couple Paula and Ron
Stoppler – they spent a lot of money and printed for us our paintings – now we
would have something to sell and support ourselves. Our huge appreciation to
Russian immigrants Valentina and George Nezin, who helped us a lot. Good
lessons given to us by a famous English-Russian translator, who helped to
communicate with each other our Presidents from Kennedy and Khruschev to
Gorbachev and Reagan – Ross Lavroff. Mechanic Dan Tate reanimated our engine. Always being supportive to us
photographer Tim Crosby, home wife Cathy Sullivan, former military pilot,
Coronal Ed Webb, Olga and Chris Staehli, marina owner Rob Trace and many-many
other unique people with big hearts. In America very many good people. The
friends waving to us from green hill and we are sailing through Puget Sound toward
the ocean.
Short stop in Townsend – wonderful family
of Steve Bozak helping us to change the prop: now we have much faster speed.
With pleasure we are visiting Port Angeles and Indian village Neah Bay. Indian
leaders invite us for their celebration – Maka days. We see how proudly and
naturally singing and dancing true Americans.
Long time people had been expecting us in
Aberdeen. Under the rule of young and energetic captain Les Bolton here acts
historical maritime society. Small town
surprises many people: by the efforts of enthusiasts, in the best
sailing traditions of the past centuries here was built marvelous brig “Lady
Washington”. When this elegant, like descended from the ancient gravures ship
coming in any port – everywhere huge crowds. And now we are mooring near the
brig and hundreds people on the pier. Members of society – in old style
sailor’s costumes, in pirate’s clothes. They are dancing for us, singing
ancient songs of British sailors, firing to the air from museum’s value silicic
muskets and pistols. Such a meeting, that you will never forget.
Many acquaintances are giving advice:
don’t go up by river Columbia. It’s a very dangerous place. During the high
tide flow of the mighty river collide with the power of ocean and in mouth
suddenly, without any wind are born huge waves. Even big ocean ships, picked up
at the middle by crest, just simply breaking apart or turning somersaults,
going straight to the bottom. Over 2000 (!)
vessels
found here their flowing grave… But every year new and more boats lying on
ground. Misfortune for somebody – godsend for others. Some local guys bought
the diving gear. When next ship dies – they are diving and taking away
everything, what they can. And this robbery – sorry, on local language it’s named
business – alas! – flowering.
Stubbornness – my luck. I decided to go
against the flow anyway. Only once fleetingly I saw Portland at the night and
was shocked by a magnificent panorama of it’s lights. It’s pulling me up there
already… It’s why after high and rocky cape we are turning to the side of huge
river. On horizon growing green mountains… Across the river stretching one of
the longest bridges in USA.
Near the entrance of Columbia I am calling
to the local station of US Coast Guard. The commander is answering, that
dangerously to sail up only during the high tide – especially when winter
storms are urging on beaches colossal masses of the water. But anyway gentle
lieutenant coming to meet us on white powerboat with red line across the bow.
Just to be an honoured escort. The help very apropos, because hundreds
armatures-fishermen came in this sunny day for fishing and dammed hole
fairwater. And Coast Guard ship goes ahead and clears the way.
Menacing Columbian bar known all around
the world. The recruits of the Coast Guard coming here to train in rescue
missions not only from the USA, but also from many other countries. In maritime
museum in Astoria we see the documentary film about this rotten place.
Unforgettable episode with the cargo ship around a hundred meters long.
Somebody accidentally had taking shots on a clear day and low wind. Suddenly
exactly at the center of the vessel around 25 meters raised a gigantic wave! On
killer crest ship was broken for two pieces and in a minutes disappear under
the water…
After one hundred miles by restive river
we enter in a wonderful, the most pleasant city in USA – Portland. Not too
small, not too big, beautiful and friendly. With it’s own architectural face
and calm character. People here walking by streets without hurry and fear –
crime very negligible.
Another important reason, why I do not
pity this detour, because I am meeting here an incredible man Dennis Burkhart.
Measured and gentle, staidly sparkling by eyeglasses, my new friend always
enigmatically smiling by the ends of his lips. He owns a small video company.
He creates documentary films about nature, of all 54 national parks of USA. At
this time he is finishing film about Alaska and it trailblazers. And it’s
important for Dennis to show history so, that everything on screen should move
and been impressive. And suddenly up to his threshold sailed a live copy of
Bering’s pocket-boat! Of course, real professional couldn’t lose such an
opportunity. He goes together with us to the sea, shooting the boat under full
sails and all crew in work for his film. Documentary Burkhart’s film with our
participation many times has been shown on the leading American channels:
“Discovery”, Travel channel, learning channel etc.
We became with Dennis and his glorious
family so tight friends, that deciding in future work together over film about
our expedition. Friend-cinematographer gives to me small 16-mm movie camera and
with it I will shoot now the most memorial events on our way. A separate film
we will make about amazing adventures of Koozma Mikhailovich.
Not any TV broadcast about expedition,
doesn’t appear any article about us in all cities on our way, where would not
be assigned watchfulness of our mouse patrol. Koozya becoming more and more
famous. In each port autographs taking from him kids and adults, and, of
course, beautiful cat-females. Everybody just pestering with questions, what
happened with his tail, where and how it been lost. But Koozya doesn’t know by
himself. I am always trying to bring a fresh spurt in this questing and every
time I am telling different stories, that he had frozen his tail in Siberia, or
it been accidentally cut off by a door, or we used his piece of tail for shark
bait. Also I tell this tale: “The
best Russian food – borsht. But not everybody knows, that the tastiest borsht –
with the small piece of cat tail. It’s gives for dish very piquant, absolutely
unusual aroma… Our cat donated to us a little bit of his tail for each
Christmas… Enough tail left for two celebrations… But what I discovered – tail
grows back…
The most merry, that many people truly
believing in these tale about tail…
A day before leaving Portland we return
home with Irene enough late, but just stepping aboard, we are hearing cheerful:
“Hello to daddy and mommy!”
In dark corner of boat my eye sees Koozya
and local beauty, smoke-coloured cat-female, who is wiping out her eyes by
shawl. I don’t want to interfere this touching parting – we go downstairs in
cabin. I laying in bed, turning off light, but long time cannot sleep. Soon I
am hearing some scraps of conversation.
“Koozya, - sounding thin girl’s voice, - I
am so impressed by your intellect. So smart guys I never met here yet. From
where this comes in yourself?”
“My
both parents have high pedagogical education! I received brilliant Russian
education!”
It’s so pleasant to have the sensible
pupils…