When we lived in Shetland, I heard a lot of noise coming from one of our out-buildings. I looked in and there appeared to be complete chaos, with animals rushing about and birds flying up against windows, and it took some time to work out what had happened.

Our cat had caught a rabbit and had taken it into the byre to eat it there in peace. But this was not to be.

For a meadow pipit (a small bird), being chased by a merlin (a slightly larger bird), had decided to fly to safety into the very same byre. The merlin had decided to follow it in. They had both totally freaked the cat and I had gone in last of all, just to add to the total confusion.

Everyone survived the experience, a little wiser, except for the rabbit, which at least didn't get eaten.