Звонок под ступеньками

An orange cat named Barsik lived in the courtyard of a Kazan apartment building, and every neighbor knew him.

He usually waited for breakfast beside the bicycles at the entrance, but on Tuesday his bowl remained full.

Sasha asked the neighbors when they had last seen Barsik.

Galina had heard the faint bell on his collar beneath the steps, while Timur had noticed tracks by the basement grille.

The caretaker opened the grille, and the dark space breathed out dust and damp earth.

Sasha called the cat, but only a short meow answered.

Barsik came out only when Galina tapped a spoon against the metal bowl.

The next morning, the cat was back by the entrance beside a note: “Please close the grille carefully.”