PSLE: Compassion

The sky was overcast in a mixture of grey dark clouds. The wind howled a haunting song. It was cold and rain was imminent. Pedestrians were hurrying home to escape from the impending rain.

Meow, meow. A puny kitten was trapped. Its eyes was a captivating blue and its fur was sandy in color. His tiny paw was stuck between the miniscule gap of the drain. Rubber bands were tied around its tail which was swollen and had a malodorous stench. The mother cat was nowhere in sight and the little creature was trying all its might to free itself from the metallic blade that ensnared it like a mouse trap.

A little girl passed by with her mother. She skipped along in her polka-dot dress, her pony tails bouncing up and down. She spotted the little kitten right away. Feeling sorry for the cat, she pulled her mother’s hand and pleaded, “Please, mummy! Can we bring the cat home?” Her doleful eyes were full of compassion.

Displeased with her request, the mother turned to her sternly, “Yucks! So dirty. Don’t even think of it! Let’s go!” Clutching her small hand tightly, she hastened her footsteps and pulled the girl along. Pearl-like tears slipped down her rosy cheeks as she turned and whispered, “Sorry, Kitty. Goodbye.”

A flash of lightning forked across the darkened sky and a deafening thunder boomed and startled the kitten. Many passed by and saw the cat but no one stopped to offer any help. Rain started pelting down.

Wheels clanked as a lonely old lady shambled along. Her trolley was filled to the brim with dusty cardboard and empty soft drink cans. Though she was hard of hearing, she could hear the pitiful mews faintly. Craning her neck to locate the source of the sound, she spotted the little fretful creature despite her dim eyes and the rain. A wave of sympathy and compassion engulfed her as she saw how the poor cat struggled and screeched in anguish.

With tired footsteps, she approached the frightened cat. Its fur stood on end as it tried to put on the most intimating defence and screeched agitatedly. Undeterred, she hunched her sloping shoulder and offered words of comfort.

Both of them were soaked to the skin. The raindrops continued to pound against her enfeebled body. Despite the heavy thunderstorm, she spoke gently to give the frightened animal some assurance. The cat seemed to understand and stopped her mewing. The elderly lady’s wrinkled hands then gently pulled out the injured paw from the metallic blade. After a tedious struggle under the pelting rain, the kitten was finally freed. It was grateful.

As the old lady slowly made her way off in the heavy rain, the little creature followed close behind. Despite her shooing the cat away repeatedly, the feline lingered nearby and refused to leave. Touched by the little kitten’s gesture, she picked it up and placed it gently in a cardboard box. With time, the duo became an inseparable pair. Her compassion gave her a precious gift.  She was not lonely anymore.