Charlie wasn’t just any cat—he was a mastermind. A fluffy, orange-and-white strategist who had spent months studying human behavior, particularly the sacred morning ritual of breakfast. Every morning, without fail, his human would pop something delightful into the shiny metal box that made things warm and crispy. Charlie had watched, learned, and most importantly, waited.
But today was different. Today was his moment.
The aroma of the golden waffle filled the air, wafting straight into his twitching nose. His human had stepped away for just a second—just long enough for him to make his move. With the stealth of a seasoned thief, Charlie leaped onto the counter, his paws landing silently beside the toaster. The waffle had just popped up, fresh, warm, and completely unattended. It was practically begging to be claimed.
Without hesitation, he leaned in and took the first bite, his sharp little teeth sinking into the crispy surface. Victory! His tail flicked with excitement. It was even better than he had imagined—sweet, buttery, and delicious.
But then, a sound. Footsteps. His human was returning. Charlie froze, waffle still in his mouth. He could almost hear the dramatic music playing in the background of his great escape. Could he get away with it? Would he be caught in the act?
His eyes darted to the side, contemplating whether he should run or commit fully to his crime. But then, a chuckle broke the silence. His human, instead of scolding him, just laughed.
“Charlie, you little thief,” they said, shaking their head.
Charlie didn’t move. Maybe, just maybe, if he stayed very still, they’d let him keep it.
His human sighed, broke off a small piece of waffle, and placed it in front of him.
“Here, you earned it, you little troublemaker.”
Charlie purred as he chewed his stolen prize. The heist had been successful, and breakfast would never be the same again
