The perfect summer

CEBU, Philippines - One morning, the kitten known as Blackfoot found himself puzzled by a question: What’s the perfect way to spend the summer?

With summer already here, he knew he couldn’t waste any more time not knowing what the answer to that question is.

So he went to Brad, the world’s smartest rat, asking him, “What’s the perfect way to spend the summer, Brad?”

“Learning new things is the best way to spend the summer,” said Brad. “You learn from textbooks and school teachers during the school year, but learning new things during summer is the best since you learn things at your own pace.”

Though Brad’s words were always wise, Blackfoot felt that learning new things isn’t the best way to spend the perfect summer.

So he went to Whitefang, his fellow orphan-kitten, asking him the same question.

“Playing games is the best way to spend the summer, ‘foot,” said Whitefang. “After all, you can play to your heart’s content in summer with school not being around.”

Though Blackfoot did like playing games, he still felt that playing games isn’t the best way to spend the perfect summer.

So he went to Stripe, the smartest of the three kittens, asking him the same question.

“Doing chores is the best way to spend the summer,” said Stripe. “Housework builds character, and doing chores during summer is very character building.”

Now Blackfoot didn’t really mind doing chores, but he still didn’t feel like it was the best way to spend the perfect summer.

So finally, he went to Dog-las, the grumpy dog, and asked him the same question.

“Why, that question is quite easy to answer, ‘foot,” said Dog-las, who was unusually happy that day.

“The perfect way to spend the summer is to spend it together with friends and family.”

“It doesn’t matter what you do, just as long as you do it together with people you like to be with.”

“Together, you could learn new things like painting or playing the piano. You could also have more fun playing games together, just as doing chores can be more fun with the company of your friends.”

“The perfect summer is not about being on your own doing one thing alone.”

“The perfect summer is best experienced when you are together with your best buddies.”

With that, Blackfoot then knew what the real answer to his question was.