This morning, our cat Carol hopped up onto the tile counter by the sink, purring and looking me in the eyes.

Clearly she formed an intent.
When she was sure that I was watching,
she proceeded to pantomime drinking water from the sink spout.

I turned on a tiny stream of cold water from the tap,
and she twisted her head to align her tongue with the stream and began lapping it up.

No words, yet effective communication.

Then I told her to get down and
wiped down the counter where she sat as she sought a drink of water.