That afternoon, Mom was getting ready to step out for a short while. Before leaving, she turned to CUTIS and Buem and said calmly, “I’ll be back soon. Please watch the house.” She meant it the way adults usually do—stay home, behave, and keep things in order. But the moment the door closed, CUTIS and Buem exchanged serious looks. In their minds, this wasn’t a simple request. It was a mission.
CUTIS squinted at the house and said confidently, “She said to watch it.” Buem nodded in agreement, eyes wide with determination. Without wasting time, they dragged two small chairs outside and placed them right in front of the house. Sitting down side by side, they stared straight at the building as if it might suddenly grow legs and walk away.
For the next few minutes, they took their task very seriously. CUTIS crossed his arms and scanned the roof, while Buem kept his eyes on the front door. “I’ll watch the windows,” Buem announced. “You watch the walls,” CUTIS replied. They even whispered to each other, afraid that talking too loudly might distract them from their duty.
When a cat wandered past, Buem jumped up. “Hey! Don’t touch the house!” he shouted, waving his arms dramatically. CUTIS quickly stood too, shielding the door like a guard. The cat stared at them in confusion before calmly walking away. Satisfied, the two sat back down, proud that they had protected the house from danger.
The sun grew warmer, and watching the house turned out to be harder than expected. Their eyes grew tired, but neither wanted to give up. Just then, Mom returned. She stopped in her tracks, stunned by the sight of CUTIS and Buem sitting outside, staring intensely at the house.
“What are you two doing?” she asked, trying not to laugh.
“We’re watching the house,” CUTIS answered seriously. Buem nodded, adding, “Nothing happened.”
Mom burst into laughter, finally understanding the misunderstanding. She hugged them both, explaining what she really meant. CUTIS and Buem laughed too, a little embarrassed but mostly amused.
It was a simple mix-up, but it became a moment filled with laughter, innocence, and unforgettable joy—proving that sometimes, the funniest memories come from taking words a little too literally.
