In the middle of a large city lived a most magnificent cat named Pretentitious. She resided in a high rise apartment complex on the top floor. Outside the apartment was a patio garden from where she could see the city.

This was her kingdom. She would make the rounds daily to insure that her kingdom was kept in perfect order. One day to her surprise she spotted an intruder, Right in the middle of the living room carpet was a cricket. Instinctively she crouched down and started to stalk her prey. Within moments she had him cornered and was about to kill him when he spoke to her.

Please don't kill me, said the cricket. I'm a very special cricket. My name is 'Aladdin and I have magic powers. If you let me go, I will grant you one wish. Then you will really be the most magnificent cat in the whole world.

That's silly, said the cat. There are no magical crickets. Besides, I already have everything I want. I have a wonderful owner, that give me the best food and special toys and all the attention I want whenever I want it. I have a nice place to live and I am the ruler of my kingdom. What else is there?

Haven't you ever wanted to fly? said the cricket. Trying with all his might and cunning to save his life.

Goodness no!, said the cat. Cats don't fly. If God had wanted cats to fly, He would have given them wings. I've never heard of such nonsense. Just for that I will take my time killing you, so that I can enjoy it more.

Now wait a minute, said the cricket. You know those pesky pigeons that come and upset your garden? If you could fly, you could catch them and they would never bother your garden again.

Hmmmm, said the cat. You may have something there . I love to catch those pigeons and if I could fly I could really make their lives miserable OK, cricket, how can you make me fly?

Well, said the cricket. Do you remember the story of Dumbo and his red feather? Well, when Dumbo lost his feather while flying, I found it and have kept it ever since. I have it hidden in a special place to give to someone like you as a gift.

Tell me where it is and I will get the feather and then set you free, said the cat. slyly. Knowing full well, that she would still kill the cricket, after she got the feather.

Oh no, said the cricket. I am the only one that can get the feather, You see, it is hidden in a place where only I can get into, You are too big.

I'll tell you what, said he cat. Let's go together and get this feather and then I will set you free. Now where is it?

The feather is in the garden, said the cricket, It is at the top of the tree. Come let me show you. And off they went to climb the tree.

Pretentitious had climbed the tree many times and although it was not her favorite sport she did well. Besides, the idea of flying and killing a cricket on the same day was too much to anticipate. She could already see herself being honored as the world's only flying cat- just like Dumbo- she would be a star.

As they continued to climb, the branches got thinner and started to sway in the wind. Pretentitious said, I have never been this high before, is it much farther?

The cricket said, Look, there it is, right at the top. You wait right here and I'll go the rest of the way and throw it down to you. Make sure you catch it, and as you do, you will start to fly.

Yes, I will fly and have one less cricket to deal with, said the cat. Oops, here comes the feather. As she reached for the feather, the wind carried it up a little higher. Not caring how dangerous it was getting, the cat followed the feather and finally caught it. When she did, she started to fall, realizing that the cricket had lied to her. She fell all the way down the side of the building. Thank goodness, she had nine lives, cause she didn't die, but ran away and was never heard from again.

The moral of the story is - don't listen to talking crickets, they tend not to tell the truth.

Actually, the moral is be grateful for what you have and stop looking for magic to get you what you think you want, which isn't what will make you happy.