One September morning the kitten decided to follow a couple of boys on the way to school. Quietly and without being noticed he followed them onto the playground. The bell rang and the boys walked into the school with their so far unseen companion close behind.

Suddenly one of the boys noticed the little kitten, and not particularly liking cats he bent down and picked up the scrawny creature, took it outside and threw it over the fence. Undaunted by this act of cruelty the furry bundle, more flea than feline, picked himself up and headed for the school doorway. He made his way inside and started walking down a hallway amidst all the children scampering to their classrooms. As luck would have it, he was again discovered by the same boys he had followed previously into school. This time the gutsy little kitten was scooped up by more sympathetic hands. The boy took him to his teacher and asked if she would help. Fortunately she was a cat owner who did volunteer work for a local shelter. After taking one look at the pitiful creature in the boy's arms she saw that emergency intervention was necessary. One of her students who owned a cat ran to his house nearby and got an extra litter pan, litter and some dishes. Another ran home and grabbed a can of shrimp. Together they set the kitten up in a corner of the room where he gulped every morsel he was provided and fell asleep. He was finally safe.

After school the teacher took him home to give him a bath in an attempt to release him from the bloodthirsty parasites draining him of what little energy he had left. After his bath she fed him, gave him fresh water and housed him in her bathroom away from the prying eyes and noses of her own cats. She felt uneasy keeping him in her apartment so the next day she returned to school with the now much happier and purring kitten. His new home, for now at least, was to be this 4th grade classroom and his caretakers were to be a group of fourteen impoverished fourth graders.

As the weeks passed the little kitten, now named Oreo, became an integral part of the class. As his health improved and his boundless kitten energy returned the classroom became his playground, especially at night and on weekends. Each morning the teacher came in early in order to pick up what was left after the nightly Oreo-tornado had destroyed anything that resembled order. This included putting soil back in the potted plant on her desk, returning pencils, erasers, and papers to the tops of tables and student's desks. When the owner of an object was uncertain a community box was filled so that students could later claim what Oreo had taken the night before.

Ten minutes before the bell rang, two young boys, including the one who threw the kitten over the fence, would come in, clean the litter pan, feed the kitten, give him fresh water, and play with him. Once the bell rang they would pick him up and hold him in their lap so he wouldn't get lost in the shuffle as students marched their way into the room. During the day as the students got to work on their lessons Oreo began his work. He provided inspiration amongst students who felt at times lost and alone. He would curl up and sleep on a child's lap or inside their desk while they were struggling with an assignment. When everyone was being too serious he would show the importance of laughter by stealing pencils, playing with earrings, and biting worksheets. The children fell in love with their new friend and felt proud of what they had done to help him.

Eventually the time came for Oreo to leave. The principal was nervous about having a cat in the school and ordered the teacher to get rid of him. The children were devastated and cried but another lesson was about to be taught. Sometimes we have to let go of those we love. In hopes of finding a home for Oreo the teacher decided to take him to a cat show where the shelter she did volunteer work for had a vending booth. Again fate took control of the situation and guided to his cage yet another teacher.

I was exhibiting my own cats at the show and was not interested in adopting a cat but as I walked down the aisle I had walked down so many times that weekend, I glanced at the numerous signs telling about each cat. Suddenly the word "school" jumped out at me. This was a sign I had not read before. I stopped and without looking down I read the story about Oreo, the school kitten. When I finished I looked down and saw huddled in the back of the cage a small scared bundle that reminded me of another cat I owned. Immediately I took him out and cuddled him. He instantly began to purr and nurse on my arm. He had found a new home.

Oreo, now renamed Beckett, continues to go to school at least once a week and teaches important lessons in humanity and acts as therapy cat for some troubled 4th and 5th grade boys and girls. Although the children in Toledo miss him they are relieved that their Oreo has another group of kids and a teacher who will care for him.