A cat should always be treated with the utmost respect for dignity. Children can be forgiven for not knowing, to a point. He certainly doesn't begrudge this frightened, injured boy.

Every time the boy slows, the Cat moves ahead a little and mews. Between the two of them, they're able to coax him all the way out of the tunnel. The child stumbles and falls once he reaches the entrance, but as young as he is it doesn't seem to bother him. Once all three are clear, pieces of the tunnel fall, eventually causing the entire pile to collapse on itself.