After school, Isabel took the long way home—past the flowers, past the little park, past the whispering bushes.
Then she heard it… “Mew?” So soft she almost missed it.
“Hello?” Isabel knelt. Two little eyes peeked from the leaves.
“It’s okay, little one,” she whispered. “Are you lost?”
The kitten trembled. Isabel set a bit of cracker on her palm.
Sniff. Step. Purr. The kitten crept closer.
Isabel wrapped her sweater around the fluff. “You’re safe with me.”
House by house, Isabel asked, “Have you lost a kitten?”
No one had. The kitten pressed its face to Isabel’s chin.
“We won’t give up,” Isabel said. “Not on the one who needs help.”
Rain freckles dotted the path. Isabel shared her umbrella.
At home, Mama warmed a towel and a saucer of milk.
“We’ll look for the owner,” Mama said. “Every lost one matters.”
Posters went up—on the park gate, lamp post, and mailbox.
While they waited, Isabel played softly. The kitten purred like a tiny engine.
At bedtime, Isabel prayed, “Jesus, help this little one be found.”
Morning brought sunshine…and a flyer flapping on the fence.
“Mama! A match!” Isabel’s heart did a happy hop.
They followed the address to the blue house with the big maple.
A little boy opened the door, eyes wide. “Snowball?”
“Mrrrow!” Snowball leapt into his arms. The boy laughed and cried at once.
“Thank you,” the boy said. “I thought we’d never find her.”
Isabel’s chest felt warm and floaty. “I’m glad she’s home.”
On the walk back, Mama squeezed her hand. “You loved the one who was lost.”
“Like Jesus does,” Isabel said. “He’s the Good Shepherd.”
“He leaves ninety-nine safe sheep to find the one who needs Him,” Mama said.
Isabel pictured Jesus holding a tiny lamb close—just like Snowball.
“Every single one matters,” Isabel whispered. “Even the smallest.”
Fireflies winked in the grass as they reached their street.
Isabel smiled up at the sky. “Thank You for finding the lost… and for helping me find Snowball.”
