Those who designed our typical courtyards ten years ago probably had no idea that by 2020, nearly every other family would own a car. This shortsightedness resulted in fierce battles for parking spaces. Even cats found themselves caught up in this irreconcilable struggle.
I have two neighbors. One lives on the second floor, the other above. About six months ago, they both got their own vehicles, and a terrible dispute broke out between them over a parking space near the entrance. Each was arguing their right to park under their windows. There's nowhere else, really, since everything is occupied. The only other option is outside the courtyard. But that way, you can't see the car from the window.
None of the neighbors wanted to compromise, so they parked on a first-come, first-served basis. Almost every day, loud arguments erupted in the courtyard, continuing in the entryway. Even after they'd gone to their apartments, the men still managed to exchange grievances about the thin walls.
Soon, a third party entered the fray. The second-floor neighbor has a large gray cat. One day, while the men were arguing in the entryway, Dymok (that's the cat's name) witnessed the fracas. That evening, tensions flared, and a fight almost ensued. The third-floor neighbor even managed to push the second-floor neighbor, but then residents from the other apartments intervened and separated the two sides.
Apparently, Dymok couldn't stand such rude treatment from his owner and decided to take revenge on the offender. Every day, he climbed up to the third floor and did his cat business outside the door of the man he hated. Naturally, this only escalated the conflict. Now the men were arguing not only over a parking space but also over "surprises" from Dymok.
This went on for several months. Everyone in the courtyard had become accustomed to the daily showdown and didn't even pay attention to the bickering. But a couple of weeks ago, a miracle happened. The man from the third floor rented a garage near the building, eliminating the need for a parking space. The former enemies finally made peace. The end of the conflict was marked by watching a football match together over beer and roach.
Interestingly, the very next day, Dymok stopped playing pranks and leaving "surprises" at the offender's door. Since his master had forgiven his enemy, the cat had no reason to hold a grudge.
