On one of the sunniest and warmest summer days, I was walking alone through the city. Why alone? Well, because all my friends had scattered: some to the cottage, 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. Benches, lamp posts, and paving stones were covered with clinging ivy. The grass had grown taller than my knees. The branches of the trees were tightly woven together 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 suddenly shouted – WOOF!
The poor creature jumped up, bristled, and ran off with a wild cry.
I burst out laughing. I laughed so long, replaying that moment over and over in my head, that my stomach hurt. 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, could you give up your seat to an old wanderer?
Looking at the empty bench where only I was sitting, with plenty of free space, I involuntarily answered:
No, I won't give up my seat.
Oh, how rude! And what are teachers teaching children these days!
The old man groaned, standing beside me.
Mathematics, language, literature, biology, and other subjects!
I shouted, not knowing why.
Well yes, yes... they teach sciences now, but don't they teach you etiquette, kindness, and simple politeness?
The old man asked.
They do, but I'm not interested!
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 away the cat because I wanted to, and I didn't give you my seat because there are plenty of free seats 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?
Because 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! These 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 to be?
No...
I said uncertainly.
Sit down next to me, I'll tell you now.
I sat down beside 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 intelligent.
He wandered everywhere and fed on various information. Many families took this kitten to themselves. Especially those with small children.
Sometimes, when children cried and couldn't sleep for a long time, the kitten, and later the cat, would approach them and begin to purr various stories about the past and future, about the infinite and eternal.
In different families, he learned much new information and gained new knowledge.
Once, after living in the family of an astrologer, he ended up in the family of a milkmaid who had a little girl of about six years old.
And one time, when everyone had already gone to bed, and 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 approached 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 scold himself for not being able to help. And yet he knew so much!
The full moon lit his dark fur with its dim rays and hid behind a cloud, and in 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 understanding 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 old men.
So it came to be 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 grain in the whole world, who wanted to help one child, helped everyone.
So 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 the cat wandered the world. He taught many and made many his students, who then became teachers for other less educated people.
But why did he live so long?
Unable to resist another mystery, I asked and immediately bit my lip.
Well, I'll answer that question. The thing is, 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 couldn't find such a person who would be worthy of taking 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 man, he turned into an old and decrepit old man.
One generation replaced another, and then a third. Now the cat has become very old. He hardly walks anymore. He's 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 badly. Before I could recover, the cat had already disappeared. I tried to find him. I ran through the park, looked in the bushes, searched 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 see if it's that mangy cat, if 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, because they instil in us the knowledge that is so needed in this world!!
