Pete's Expert Summary
My human, in a baffling display of ambition, has acquired what appears to be a complete kit for disrupting a perfectly good lawn. It's a "Franklin Sports" contraption involving a large, flimsy barrier (a "net") and various objects intended to be struck with force. The primary purpose seems to be for the giants to gallop back and forth, making loud noises while I'm trying to nap in a sunbeam. While the oversized, bouncy sphere holds zero interest for a cat of my refinement, I will concede a certain curiosity about the smaller, feathery projectiles they call "birdies." Their erratic flight path suggests they might, just might, be worthy of a brief, tactical pounce, should one escape the designated "play" zone. Everything else is just noisy scaffolding for my future amusement.
Key Features
- COMBO SET: Play beach volleyball or badminton in the backyard or in the park; Whether you’re at a family barbecue or having a get-together with friends, this starter volleyball and badminton combo set is everything you need for outdoor fun.
- EVERYTHING INCLUDED: This set includes (4) badminton rackets, (2) nylon birdies, (6) stakes and guy ropes, (1) volleyball, (1) ball pump and needle, and (1) convenient carry case to hold everything
- EASY SETUP: The easy-to-assemble net system includes a 1" diameter steel pole that adjusts from 5’1" to 8' feet high so it’s a great set for all ages to enjoy; The net assembles to 20' x 1.5' so it's big enough for many players to play
- PORTABLE: This set is designed for easy setup made to last season after season for grab-and-go fun
- OUTDOOR FUN: This complete badminton and volleyball set lets you enjoy these classic sports nearly anywhere; Enjoy hours of fun and create memories that last a lifetime
A Tale from Pete the Cat
The operation began at 1400 hours, under the oppressive glare of the afternoon sun. The humans, my usual suspects, lugged a long, suspicious bag into my territory—the backyard. They called it the "Franklin Sports Set." I called it an invasion. From my observation post beneath the azalea bush, I watched them erect a towering structure of metal poles and black mesh, effectively bisecting my prime bird-watching real estate. It was a crime scene in the making. Their first caper involved a large, spherical object they batted back and forth over the barrier, shouting nonsensically. It was a crude, unsophisticated affair, and I nearly wrote the whole thing off as another one of their pointless rituals. But then, the case took a turn. They put the big sphere away and produced smaller, webbed paddles and a new person of interest: the "birdie." It wasn't a bird, not a real one. This was something else entirely. It was a small, white cone with a frill of feathers, an aerodynamic anomaly. One of the humans swatted it, and it sailed through the air not with the grace of a sparrow, but with the wobbly, unpredictable trajectory of a deeply confused moth. It soared, it stalled, it tumbled. It landed silently in the grass, just beyond my cover. The game stopped as the humans looked for their lost projectile. This was my window. I crept forward, my gray tuxedo blending with the afternoon shadows. The birdie lay on its side, a fallen shuttlecock from some alien badminton match. I gave it a clinical sniff. Plastic, a hint of feather dust. I nudged it with a single, precise paw. It skittered, wobbling delightfully. That was all the evidence I needed. Before the clumsy giants could retrieve their prize, I snatched the birdie in my mouth and vanished back into the undergrowth. Let them have their net and their loud games. I had cracked the case wide open and discovered the only part of the "Franklin Sports" operation that held any true value. Under the deck, far from their prying eyes, I conducted a more… thorough investigation. The verdict was clear: the birdie was a masterpiece of erratic design, a worthy adversary for a detective of my caliber. The rest of the kit was just packaging. Case closed.
