Chapter 1

A beautiful young tortoiseshell she-cat was sitting in her cage; her owners were taking her on a trip. A trip to Israel! She was very excited because she didn't get to go out of her house much. Maybe she would even meet another cat in Israel!

"Willow, are you ready to go?" One of the kids asked her.

"I sure am!" she meowed back, but all they heard was "meow, meow, meow."

The kid picked up her cage and carried her

towards the car. Oh no! she thought, Not the car! They only ever brought her to the car if she was going to the vet!

After a drive that felt like forever, they got out of the car by a huge building with people going in and out. This must be the airport they were talking about. She thought. Its so big, and so many people are walking in and out! Whoa! She thought as she saw a plane taking off. Are we going to get in one of those huge birds? I hope not! They are so big, and loud, and scary! But, at least it will carry it on our backs all the way to

Israel! Thank you bird! Now I can go on a trip!

After her owners had gone through security, they took her to the entrance of one of the huge birds. It was enormous when they got inside. Willow was very happy to be on her way to Israel finally. They had waited, just sitting on chairs, for a few hours! It was horrid!

Chapter 2

They were in Israel! Finally in Israel! Willow was so excited to explore. If her owners would let her out, she would go all through Israel. And maybe she would even meet another cat!

Pretty soon they arrived at a small hotel, and guess what Willow found when she walked in? A small black tom, curled up on a small red pillow, sitting on a chair.

"Do you allow pets here?" One of her owners inquired of the person at the front desk.

"Yes, we do. What type of pet do you have?" He said looking in the cage. "Oh, a cat! She should make great friends with Simba here."He pointed at the other cat. Oh, that must be Simba. I can't wait to meet him! She clawed at the bottom of the cage.

"Let me out!" She meowed pleadingly. "I want to go meet him! PLEASE?"

"Sweet little kitty!" One of the humans cooed like he was talking to a baby.

"Let me out!"

"Daddy, I love Willow, she is such a cute little

kitty! Thanks for getting her for us!" The same child said to her father.

Chapter 3

Willow's owners had finally released her from her cage, but she was still stuck in their room! Why wouldn't they just let her out? She would have to find a way out on her own. She slowly padded over to the door. There was a shelf she could hide under just beside the door. She would just wait for one of the humans to go out, and then she would slip out unnoticed.

It felt like forever before one of the humans left. But when they did, Willow was ready. She

raced out the door, but they had seen her! She ran faster through the hall. Then she bumped into something. Something small, and black, and furry! It was Simba!

"Hey! Watch where your going! Oh, It's just you. Why are you out here?" He asked.

"I wanted to meet you." She replied. "Didn't you see me when I came in with my owners?"

"Oh, that was you?" She nodded. "I thought that was someone else, I guess. Are you here to explore Israel?"

"I wish...my owners just brought me here

because they couldn't find a cat sitter. I wish I could get out and see something, but they never let me."

"I could help you escape! I've been out lots of times! I could show you all around Israel! The whole country is only about the size of New Jersey anyway. We can get all the way through in a few days...or maybe a week."

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

They didn't have to travel far to get to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. There are four quarters in Jerusalem: the Jewish Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, and the Muslim Quarter. Simba and Willow started in the Christian Quarter. There were so many cool places to see! The first building they entered was The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was a huge building with lots of beautiful golden decorations and candles.

"This church was originally built in 330 A.D." explained Simba. "Some people believe that this is where Jesus' tomb was. There is a stone slab that they believe was a stone from Jesus' tomb. You can even touch it!"

"Cool! I can't believe you can touch it!" said Willow. "Do you think we could?" she asked.

"Of course! Let's go!" replied Simba and started running through the church.

The stone felt cold on Willow's paw. It was like touching ice, but not quite that cold!

Chapter 5

The Dead Sea

After a long walk, they finally reached the Dead Sea. It was huge! The air was so dry and salty. They walked down to the water. Simba just walked right into the water! How did he do that? thought Willow,

He just walked right into

the water!

"Aren't you coming?"

he called back.

"Me, going into the

Did you know that a Arab shepherd found the Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave near the Dead Sea?