The Cat the Grandson and the Grandmother’s Lesson

The Cat, the Grandson, and the Grandmother’s Lesson

BY:Khan

In a crowded neighborhood of Lahore lived Hamira Waheed with her son, daughter-in-law, and her beloved grandson, Sufyan. The family’s life was simple, but one thing was very clear to everyone: Sufyan was a gentle soul. He loved his family deeply, treated everyone with kindness, and had a heart overflowing with affection for animals.

This love for animals, however, was something his grandmother could never understand. Unlike her grandson, she disliked animals—especially cats. She was a woman who valued strict cleanliness and order. To her, cats meant dirt, hair on the bed, and dirty paw prints on her spotless floor.

One day, Sufyan brought home a beautiful little cat. The moment his grandmother saw the animal, she raised her voice in anger. “Take it away! I don’t want this filthy thing in my house!” she shouted. But Sufyan, determined and full of compassion, refused to listen. He begged, persuaded, and finally decided to keep the cat despite her protests.

From that day onward, the grandmother lived in constant fear: What if the cat sleeps on my bed? What if it eats from the dishes? The cat, however, was affectionate and playful. It quickly became close to everyone in the house—except the grandmother. She tolerated it only because of her love for her grandson.

After a few weeks, the cat suddenly disappeared. The grandmother breathed a sigh of relief, thanking God that the nuisance was gone. But her relief was short-lived. One night, while she was resting, faint “meow… meow…” sounds woke her up. She sat up in bed, searching for the source. Her eyes fell on a corner of the room, and there, to her horror, was the same cat—this time with two tiny kittens.

The grandmother’s anger boiled over. “One cat was bad enough! Now two more troubles have entered my house. I will not allow this for even a single day!” she shouted. Grabbing a stick, she struck the mother cat. The kittens scattered in fear, while the mother cat, weak and sick with fever, lay trembling on the floor. Her eyes—sad, pleading, helpless—looked directly at the grandmother. But her cries were faint; she did not even have the strength to run to her babies.

Without mercy, the grandmother scooped up the kittens, placed them inside a shopping bag, and carried them to an unfinished house a short distance away. It was empty and under construction. She left them there, far from their mother, and returned home.

Days passed. The sick cat slowly regained a bit of strength. As soon as she was able, she began searching desperately for her missing kittens. She went around the house, the street, the neighborhood—meowing loudly, calling for them. Finally, exhausted, she returned to the grandmother’s home. She looked straight at her with questioning, sorrowful eyes: Where are my babies?

But the grandmother remained hard-hearted. She ignored the animal’s cries and angered further as the cat meowed even louder in despair. Once again, she lifted her stick to drive it away.

This time, Sufyan could no longer stay silent. Rushing forward, he snatched the stick from his grandmother’s hand. “Grandmother!” he cried. “Fear God! First, you separated her from her children, and now you won’t even let her stay here? How can you be so cruel?”

His words did not soften her. She scolded him angrily: “Go to your room! Do not interfere in my matters!” But Sufyan, with tears in his eyes, gently picked up the cat and carried it to his room.

Only two days later, tragedy struck. Early in the morning, Sufyan’s mother was preparing breakfast when she heard strange noises from her mother-in-law’s room. Rushing in, she found the grandmother collapsed on the floor, her body twisted. One side was paralyzed; she tried to lift her head but could not sit up. Alarmed, she called Sufyan, and together they helped the old woman back onto her bed.

“This is God’s punishment for hurting the cat,” Sufyan whispered bitterly.

“Don’t say such things,” his mother replied. “Call the doctor first.”

But the grandmother had heard her grandson’s words. Tears rolled down her cheeks as regret filled her heart. She realized her mistake, recalling how she had separated the kittens from their mother, ignoring their cries. Silently, she prayed to God for forgiveness. Indeed, God’s justice is silent but certain.

Meanwhile, Sufyan made a promise in his heart: he would find the missing kittens and reunite them with their mother. He searched the neighborhood tirelessly. Finally, in a vacant plot, he saw a heartbreaking sight. One kitten lay lifeless on the ground, while the other wandered nearby, weak and meowing desperately for its mother.

With great care, Sufyan picked up the surviving kitten and brought it home. The moment the mother cat saw her baby, she let out a loud cry—half sorrow, half joy—and rushed to lick and nuzzle it. Her love poured out in every touch, every sound.

The grandmother, watching from her bed, broke down in tears. She finally understood. The pain of a mother losing her children was the same, whether human or animal. From that day, she repented sincerely. She vowed never again to separate any mother from her children.

The story became a lasting lesson for the family. A mother’s love is universal—fierce, selfless, and enduring. Humans or animals, all mothers share the same instinct: to protect, nurture, and cherish their young. And it was little Sufyan’s compassion that opened his grandmother’s eyes, teaching her that cruelty brings sorrow, while kindness brings healing.