The children were more excited than usual. Some had bags in their hands, others were carrying tins, and some were just watching and waiting for something to happen.
They were met in the corridor by two teachers. They greeted them warmly and led them to the group. Our Lilč was carrying a plush costume in her bag - the famous white, fluffy Sia the kitten costume that has been delighting children in the neighbourhood for some time. This time it was a special occasion. For a week, children from the Zreče, Gorenje and Stranice units collected food for the wild kittens cared for by our Sia Association. And now it was time to thank them personally.
When our Lilč, as we affectionately call our Lilijan Pletikos, in the morning, poking the ears of Sia's kitten costume, she felt a little tight in the chest. Not because of nervousness, but because of the special feeling that something beautiful was waiting for her. Something to remember in her heart.
Our Lilč was ready to become something more than human that day. To become a symbol. A symbol of all those creatures that watch us in the evening from under the bushes, with big eyes and empty tummies.
Together with Katarina Penava, she was greeted by children and teachers in front of the Zreče Kindergarten. She crossed the threshold with her bag in her hand. Her costume was starting to warm up, but she didn't mind. The warmth that came from the children's eyes when she walked among them as Sia the kitten was stronger than the few degrees more.
First, there were a few moments of silence. Those magical moments when children try to believe it's true. That the image from the colouring book has walked into their kindergarten. Then boom! One of them shouted, "Siaaaa the pussy!" and the whole group rushed towards her. Hugs, jumps, joy without restraint. One boy grabbed her paw and said, "I dreamt of you, you know?"
All three units - Zreče, Gorenje and Stranice - collected food for wild kittens this week. Small boxes were filled with big deeds. Every bag of briquettes, every tin, every treat was a sign that children understand more than we sometimes think.
Katarina sat down between them and explained in a gentle voice why we were there. She talked about kittens who have no home. About how sometimes we meet them and they pass by unnoticed. And how they, the children, can help to make it easier for them. So that they have something to eat. That someone notices them.
The children listened. Not with that forced attention, but with real attention. They looked into her eyes. And when they started to come, each one of them individually and proudly, with their presents, it was the most beautiful parade of the day for us.
A girl in a pink T-shirt brought a big bag of briquettes and said, "For the kitty; to help her sleep."
One of the children took Lili's hand and asked her, "Do you have a mummy?" She didn't know whether he was asking her as Sia or as Lili. She bowed her head, said, "Not anymore. I have you," and hugged him.
One teacher whispered to her that the children had been waiting all week for Sia the kitten to arrive. Every day they wondered when she would arrive. Some were drawing kittens, others were at home picking up the last tin and sneaking it in.
As she and Katarina were leaving, one of the girls ran after them and called out, "Kitty, give me another hug!" She hugged her back. She hugged her back. And at that moment, all of us involved in this event knew that this day would not only remain a fond memory, but that today we had laid a kind of foundation. A foundation for future generations who will care. For animals. For people and for a better world.
Zala Krupljan, 20. 5. 2025
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