It was her first newspaper. Complete with a first page, six other pages and a back page. It was only local news, more specifically her street news but she had her front story. Mrs. Walkins had rescued a cat, who had been stuck inside a tube. It was not just any cat but one of the homeless cats that had been roaming the neighborhood for days. And not only had she rescued it, it now came to her house every day to get food and she could even pet it. Lili had taken the photo of Mrs. Walkins and the cat herself. It was right there under the headline:

“Local lady rescues wild cat!” 

Pretty catchy title if she should say so herself. On the next page, the article described Mrs. Walkins’ fondness for cats. She had had two cats, but they had both died of old age. Then came pages 3-7, with descriptions and pictures of people and events on the street. The old couple and their silver wedding, the garden party, etc. It was all in there – with her name in the by-line. 

Her dad had helped her. He was a journalist and a good one, she was sure of that. He had set up the newspaper and advised her, but the interviews and the writing were hers, with a few editions from him and help with the headlines. 

“I am going to be a real journalist like you someday, Dad,” she proclaimed.

“You already are, sweetheart,” he replied and hugged her. 

She laughed and ran to tell her Mum and show her the newspaper. She came out and they celebrated her first newspaper. She got a soda and her parents drank wine. 

Later, she called her best friend Beth and told her all about the newspaper. Beth helped her deliver it for free donations of any kind to everyone on the street. They all loved it. She had never been so happy.

Lili was 10 years old. 

Next Chapter: Robbery in a small town