CHAPTER FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY TWO – SOFIA’S CAT

"Whiskers!" Sofia cried, relief and worry warring in her voice. "Oh, how did you get up there, you silly cat?" Whiskers meowed pitifully, seeming as distressed by his predicament as they were. "We need to get him down," Jasmine said, eyeing the tree dubiously. "But how?" "I could try climbing up," Lola offered, though she didn't sound particularly confident. Sofia shook her head. "No, it's too dangerous. We should call the fire department." But before they could decide on a course of action, they were interrupted by a gruff voice. "Need some help, ladies?" They turned to see Don Ricardo, the owner of the hardware store down the street, approaching with a long ladder over his shoulder. "Oh, Don Ricardo!" Sofia exclaimed. "You're a lifesaver!" With Don Ricardo's help, they carefully positioned the ladder against the tree. Sofia insisted on being the one to climb up and rescue Whiskers, despite Jasmine and Lola's protests. "He's my cat," she said firmly. "And I'm not as old as yo