The Black Kitten in the Yellow Collar - By Kalhari Kaluarachchi

Written By: Kalhari Kaluarachchi

Category: Non fictional Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Kalhari Kaluarachchi presents a touching non-fictional story titled "The Black Kitten in the Yellow Collar." This heartfelt narrative explores the unexpected journey of adopting a kitten, revealing how a small creature can profoundly impact a family's life. Through this piece, Kalhari shares personal insights on responsibility, companionship, and the transformations that come with opening one's heart to a new family member.

About the Work

Kalhari Kaluarachchi's story resonates with warmth and authenticity, capturing the essence of unexpected love and acceptance. The narrative unfolds with relatable emotions, from initial hesitation to profound affection, reflecting on the life-altering decision to adopt a kitten. The story's vivid imagery and candid tone invite readers to witness the transformative power of love and the joy a small creature can bring to a family.

The Black Kitten in the Yellow Collar

Original Submission by Kalhari Kaluarachchi

The Black Kitten in the Yellow Collar

I’m not an animal person. But it’s amazing how I fell in love with the little one we adopted just to make my kid happy.

I don’t hate animals. I just don’t want to take on any more responsibilities in life — I want to complete the ones I already have, one by one. Especially when it comes to a living being, whether it’s an animal or a child, I feel it’s the same. You have to commit for their whole life, and they become part of yours. I really didn’t want that.

But with a lot of justification and thinking, I made up my mind to get a cat to keep my son company. He had been asking for a kitten for a long time.

One Saturday morning we all went to the cat fair my son found online. It was at a pet shop in our small town. So many kittens. We all agreed we wanted a short‑fur one.

Oh my god — so many kittens, and they were all adorable. The cat mum was wearing a jumper with a kangaroo pocket, carrying kittens in it, which made everything even more irresistible.

I knew they were cute, but I still wasn’t sure if we really needed to do this. I knew it would be like having a second child. But I didn’t have a choice — even though I was still hesitant, we had committed to adopting one for my son’s happiness.

He chose a pure black kitten out of all the tiny little cuties running around. I don’t know how he picked her, but she was so calm when he held her. That day we weren’t allowed to take the kitten home — we were only allowed to choose and reserve. So we did. The black kitten with the yellow collar was ours. I wanted a different stripy one, but my son is a very strong‑opinionated young man. He knows what he wants, and he’s rarely wrong, so I kept my opinion to myself. At the end of the day, this whole exercise was for him.

As planned, we signed the papers and left. We officially adopted her, and she would be delivered to our doorstep when she was ready to live independently. It took a week or two. We prepared her bed and everything else to welcome the new kid home.

The evening she arrived, I was nervous. “What if she pees or poos on the bed or couch? How am I going to clean it?” I wondered if my son would manage to train her properly. It bothered me, but honestly, I was excited to see her too.

It was a cold winter evening when she came home. We were all waiting, and finally that cute little bundle arrived. She was like a tiny bullet train — running fast, trying to escape our hands. She ran all over the house and eventually came to us. My son fed her treats and played with the toys he had bought in advance to entertain her. She was adorable and so well‑behaved. She found the litter tray on her own and made no mess. She seemed to know exactly what to do.

She is an irresistible little creature. She’s part of our family now. We’ve become such cat people. Everyone at home is in love with her. She has her own way of doing things, and she stole everyone’s heart in no time. I can’t believe how life was without her.

It’s amazing how things change. This little cutie has been with us for five months now. She changed our whole perspective on adopting an animal. I can’t be grateful enough that I made that decision. She’s not just my son’s companion — she’s family.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices and creative expression worldwide. This prestigious event provides a platform for writers to showcase their talent, sharing compelling narratives and innovative ideas. Participants explore various themes, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of global storytelling and literary art.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kalhari Kaluarachchi for sharing "The Black Kitten in the Yellow Collar" with us. Your story adds depth and warmth to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your insightful narratives.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.