(B) Doris Kalus and the Cats of the Forest

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Doris Kalus and the Cats of the Forest!

The winter was in and the cold had gone through to the core. It was almost dark. And, whilst waiting for friends to go jogging, I noticed a woman at the edge of the forest. And, what she was doing made me curious, and so I went over to see.

Her name was Doris Kalus, and she was filling lots of small bowls with food. And then, after just a few seconds, the cats came out of the woods. Not just a few, but many!

And, Doris Kalus explained. Each year, hundreds of cats run away from their homes in Vienna, and for many, the Vienna Woods become the perfect new home. And there they are happy. But, not for long. For then comes the winter, and it is then that hunger sets in.

And, that's why Doris Kalus goes to the woods every day in the winter. It's her way of helping the runaway cats. But, as the winters continue, the number of cats arriving for supper becomes fewer and fewer. The cold and the dangers are often too much, and many run-away cats sadly perish.

And, Doris continued. She used to have a cat, and he ran away, too. But, that was a long time ago. And, feeding the run-away cats is her way of remembering him. And, by helping the run-away cats to survive, one or two may even find their way home in the spring. And, Doris used to dream of her little cat coming home. But sadly, he stayed out in the cold. And, in those days there was no one to help. And, that's why Doris is special.

The winter was in and the cold had gone through to the core. The cats were enjoying their meals. Doris was there whatever the weather,  A very big help for the cats.


Doris Kalus and the Cats of the Forest

Vocabulary 

core – Kern 

curious – neugierig 

edge – Rand  

for (because) – weil  

forest (woods) – Wald  

lots of – (many/much) – viel/e 

perish – sterben  

sets in (begins) - einsetzen  

survive (survive/survived/survived) – überleben 

woods (forest) – Wald