Fishback
the (former) Cat left his human's shop wiser in the ways of man. His
quest to better understand people that he might better rule them was
drawing to a satisfactory close. He understood at last what it meant
to be human, to have to work and suffer, to try and fail and try
again, to be clever, to be adaptable, to devote yourself to something
that gives nothing in return. For the first time in his life, he
genuinely cared for his human. He wanted to cuddle up to him not for
the joy a cat receives when someone pets him, but to give his human
the joy a person receives when someone shares affection.
He made his way toward home, or at least in the direction he felt home was. The road was empty, and so he walked along it as though he owned it, for not every cat impulse had been purged. The view was scenic and full of lush trees, breathtaking vistas, and something new around every curve. Around one such curve, however, was a semi, careening quickly around the corner. Fishback made efforts to dive out of the way, but he knew they would fail. In human form, he was nowhere near so fast or agile as he had been as a cat. But with this knowledge came a sort of zen moment of peace, a clarity that comes with a task at last completed.
“This is the final lesson,” said Fishback. “Man has but one life to live, and I a man, am about to lose mine. I see how little time they have to do all they wish to do. Now I know what it is to fear death as they do.”
He hardly felt a thing before all went black. In the darkness, a ghostly form appeared before him.
He made his way toward home, or at least in the direction he felt home was. The road was empty, and so he walked along it as though he owned it, for not every cat impulse had been purged. The view was scenic and full of lush trees, breathtaking vistas, and something new around every curve. Around one such curve, however, was a semi, careening quickly around the corner. Fishback made efforts to dive out of the way, but he knew they would fail. In human form, he was nowhere near so fast or agile as he had been as a cat. But with this knowledge came a sort of zen moment of peace, a clarity that comes with a task at last completed.
“This is the final lesson,” said Fishback. “Man has but one life to live, and I a man, am about to lose mine. I see how little time they have to do all they wish to do. Now I know what it is to fear death as they do.”
He hardly felt a thing before all went black. In the darkness, a ghostly form appeared before him.
“Come,
Fishback,” he said, arm outstretched. “The road has been long,
but you have at last learned what you sought out to know. Let me lay
your weary head to rest. You have earned this sleep at last.”
Originally
mailed to S. Donohue of Allen Park, Michigan
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