A cat's death

My wish is that these humans would sometimes give me food and drink. It would be a great kindness from them. If they do that, I will repent from stealing from their homes.

Thursday, 15 January 2026

Muhammad Siraj-ud-Din

I am a cat. My color is white. I do not have a permanent home. Sometimes I fall asleep in a shop, sometimes under a bench, and sometimes I make a corner of a house my temporary shelter. I mostly eat meat, and I also like milk, but these things are not easy for me to get. At times, I am forced to steal. I know stealing is a bad habit, but what can I do? The fire of hunger must be put out. So, when I do not find food easily, I steal meat from a butcher’s shop or from a house, and if I get a golden opportunity, I enjoy drinking milk meant for humans.

To change the taste in my mouth, I hunt chicks, pigeons, partridges, quails, parrots, and sparrows. But the hunt I enjoy the most is that of a mouse. I do not know why, but whenever I see a mouse, I feel an uncontrollable anger. Until I catch it and eat it, I find no peace. However, let me share a secret with you. The creature I fear the most is the dog. Even though I have never troubled dogs nor provoked them, still, the moment they see me, they chase me. They bark so loudly that my blood seems to freeze. I have no option but to run away with my tail tucked in fear. In the end, I have to climb a wall or a tree to save my life.

Humans say strange things about me. On one hand, they say I am the aunt of the lion. Yet my so-called nephew is so heartless that he has never come to greet me. Even if I pass close by him, he does not bother to greet me or ask about my well-being. On the other hand, some humans consider me unlucky. If I cross their path while they are starting a journey, they take it as a bad omen and believe that some trouble will surely come their way.

Such thinking makes me very angry, but I am helpless. I cannot do anything about it. I request these humans to understand that there is no truth in such beliefs. Please do not misunderstand me. I cannot harm anyone. In fact, I am more afraid of human children than anything else. They trouble me a lot. If I fall into their hands, my fate is sealed. Sometimes they throw stones at me, sometimes they pour cold water over me, and sometimes they beat me with sticks. When the pain becomes unbearable, I run after them to bite, just to protect myself.

My wish is simple: if these humans would sometimes give me food and drink, it would be a great kindness. Then I would give up stealing from their homes forever. If they take care of me, I will always remain loyal to them. They may test me if they wish.

I do not ask for luxury or comfort. I do not need soft cushions or warm blankets. A small corner, a little kindness, and a few scraps of food are enough for me. When someone places a bowl of milk in front of me, I feel something rare—safety. In that moment, my heart softens, and I forget all the fear I carry through the streets.

I watch humans closely. Some pass by without noticing me at all. Some look at me with annoyance, and a few look at me with compassion. I can recognize kindness instantly. A gentle voice, a slow movement, and a hand that does not raise a stone—these things tell me that a human can be trusted. When someone treats me well, I remember them. I wait near their door. I guard their house from mice at night, even though they may never realize it.

I do not understand why kindness is so difficult when cruelty comes so easily. A little mercy costs nothing, yet it can change a life. I am only a stray cat, but I too feel hunger, fear, and relief. I too wish to live without constantly running for my life.

If humans and I learn to live with understanding, both of us will benefit. I will stop stealing, and they will gain a silent, faithful companion. All I ask is to be seen not as a bad omen or a nuisance, but as a living creature trying to survive. If you show me kindness once, I will remember it forever.