On one of the sunniest and warmest summer days, I was walking alone through the city. Why alone? Well, because all my mates had gone away: some to the countryside, some to camp, some here and there, you know how it is.
I wandered through courtyards and streets, and then stumbled into an old park. A few years ago it had been abandoned and now it was becoming overgrown. The benches, lamp posts and paving stones were covered in clinging ivy. The grass had grown higher than my knees. The tree branches were densely interwoven and didn't let any sunlight through onto the narrow paths.
Strange place. And why haven't I been here before?
I thought and took a step deeper into the park.
Walking a bit further, I noticed a small bench where a mangy, thin and old cat was sleeping soundly. I don't know why I did it, but I quietly tiptoed up to the sleeping cat and shouted – WOOF!
The poor creature jumped up, bristled and bolted with a wild cry.
I burst out laughing. I laughed so hard, replaying that moment over and over in my head, that my belly ached. After laughing my fill, I sat down on the very spot where the cat had been sleeping just minutes before and, tilting my head back, began to look up.
Ahem-ahem.
I heard a quiet cough and turned my head.
Young man, would you mind giving up your seat to an old wanderer.
Looking at the empty bench where only I was sitting, with plenty of free space, I involuntarily replied:
No, I won't give it up.
Oh, how rude! And what are teachers teaching children these days!
The old man grumbled, standing next to me.
Maths, English, literature, biology and other subjects!
I shouted, not knowing why.
Well yes, well yes… they teach sciences now, but don't they teach you the rules of etiquette, kindness and simple politeness?
The old man asked.
They do, but I'm not interested in that!
Then, if you're kind, why did you chase away the old cat? If you're polite, why did you refuse to give your seat to an old wanderer?
I chased the cat away because I felt like it, and I didn't give you my seat because there's plenty of free space here and I don't see the need to get up.
Well yes… exactly.
With these words, the old man licked his hand, ran it through his grey hair and smoothed it down, then quietly, very quietly, almost silently approached the bench and sat down.
My jaw dropped in surprise.
Uncle, why did you just lick your hand?
I asked barely audibly.
Unfortunately, cat-like habits remain in human form.
What do you mean cat-like habits?
Well, I'm a cat!
That can't be! That doesn't happen! You're lying!
I cried out and immediately jumped off the bench.
Everything is possible and everything happens. You just need to listen to your teachers. I am a teacher who wants to teach you a lesson in diligence, good manners and proper behaviour.
The wanderer said and in that very second his eyes flashed with green fire! They were real cat's eyes!
You're not a teacher at all…
I muttered.
This old man amazed me. He frightened me, because I didn't believe in miracles, and this was a real miracle.
Do you even know who teachers are and how they came about?
No…
I said uncertainly.
Sit down next to me, I'll tell you now.
I sat down next to him and began to listen.
Long, long ago, when people didn't even know who teachers were, a kitten was born in a small basket woven from hay. The kitten was born clever.
He wandered everywhere and fed on various information. Many families took this kitten into their homes. Especially those with small children.
Sometimes, when children cried and couldn't sleep for a long time, the kitten, and later the cat, would come up to them and begin to purr various stories about the past and future, about the infinite and eternal.
In different families he learned a lot of new information and gained new knowledge.
Once, after living with a family of an astrologer, he ended up with a milkmaid who had a little girl of about six years old.
And one night, when everyone had already gone to bed, but the little child couldn't sleep and, without blinking, was gazing out the dark window, looking at the stars and the huge moon, the cat came up to her and wanted to tell her about those night lights burning in the sky. He wanted to tell her how the world itself came to be, but he couldn't do it, because he was a cat, and cats don't talk!
Then, frustrated, he ran out into the street, sat in the middle of the road and began to reproach himself for not being able to help in any way. And yet he knew so much!
The full moon lit his dark fur with its dim rays and hid behind a cloud, and at that very moment a miracle happened!
The small animal turned into a human.
Frightened by his transformation, the cat huddled in a corner between two large stones and sat there for several minutes. Then, thinking everything through and realising what had happened, he climbed out and headed towards the house.
Knocking on the old and slightly crooked door, he waited for an answer. The door was opened by a tearful woman. She was very pale and practically exhausted.
I know what has happened to you, and I want to help you! Here, brew this and give it to your child every day. He will get better, trust me. With these words he left.
Said the cat-man and handed the woman a bunch of herbs.
After this incident, the cat often turned into a human to help those in need of his help. He taught the young so that there would be more intelligent and experienced people who could help others. The students grew up and began to teach others themselves. So year after year went by, and century after century. Many different teachers came and went, many young students became elderly elders.
So it came to pass that adults teach the young so that they can replace them when their time comes.
Everything changed. People changed, science changed, the world changed, but only the cat remained unchanged. He continued to study various sciences by observing others, and then gave lessons to small children and middle-aged people in human form.
Thus, a small creature, a speck in the whole world, who wanted to help one child, helped everyone.
What happened to the cat now?
Interrupting the old man, I asked.
How impatient you are!
The old wanderer said with a slight reproach.
Where is he now?
I continued to press for an answer.
Wait a bit and you'll find out everything.
Alright, I'm sorry, I won't do that again.
I said guiltily.
There we go! So… where was I…
For so many centuries in a row the cat wandered the world. He taught many and made many his students, who then became teachers for other less educated people.
Why did he live so long?
Unable to resist another mystery, I asked and immediately bit my lip.
Well, I'll answer that question. You see, cats have many lives and that's why he lives so long.
Ahhh, so that's it, now I understand! Wait, hold on, but why do you say «lives»? Is he still not dead?
He wandered and wandered, but could never find such a person who would be worthy of inheriting all his knowledge and becoming like him. The wisest wanderer - an old man who would be happy to share his knowledge with others.
Ignoring what I had asked, the old man continued his story.
Time passed, years took their toll and so, from a young and lively cat, he turned into an old and mangy tomcat. From a young and handsome lad, he turned into an old and decrepit old man.
One generation replaced another, and then a third, now the cat is very old. He hardly walks. He is very weak, but he continues to observe the various developments of the world, people and technology. He continues to care for children and never stops believing that all children will be grateful that they have the opportunity to learn and become scholars.
With these words, the old man winked at me and right before my eyes turned into that very old and mangy cat that I had frightened so much. Before I could recover, the cat had already disappeared. I tried to find him. I ran around the park, peered into the bushes, scanned the clearing, but couldn't find him.
Thank you… for the story… now I understand so much.
I said quietly and headed home.
Many years have passed since then, but I still remember that cat and sometimes, when a cat passes by on the street, I can't help but try to make out whether it's that mangy cat, whether it's that old man.
But, unfortunately, these are just ordinary cats passing by, although, who knows, maybe they're not ordinary at all, but some kind of teachers or professors.
I am very grateful for that story. I have completely changed and now I have a wonderful life!
Be grateful to your teachers, for they instil in us the knowledge that is so needed in this world!!
