Cat-Revival

A cat belonging to nobody was run over by some daredevil & unconscious rider. I saw that its hind quarters were completely flattened. The skin on the right flank was missing, and the cat, although technically alive, was practically dead. It's yellow eyes looked yellower and it's mouth had that peculiar dirty appearance which indicates serious sickness among cats. (Cat is a fiercely clean animal). Particularly pathetic was it's new adapted manner of locomotion: It gathered all its strength in its shoulders and dragged the dead weight of it's damaged hind, one painful drag at a time. It mewed at the sight of humans. It was a feeble cry, almost a plea that sounded like a supplication. "Please", it seemed to say, "kill me."

This I noticed on 25th of April, not quite a week back.

Then I saw the cat again on 27th, as pathetic as ever, perhaps even weaker. I remember sitting with a friend from Mumbai. I recall telling her how in this case, I felt that mercy killing was justified. I lectured on how the central purpose of an animal existence is live to breed, to perpetuate its species, relay life in segmented yet never ending manner... I was almost the spokesman of God without his permission. I was convinced that there was no utility to the existence of that poor cat. Then I saw it yesterday. I saw that the cat was able to lift its hind legs and walk! It is difficult and the nerve is still painful, but the cat walks. I am humbled. I am ashamed of pretending to decide for the universe who is to live and who to die. Lord Vishnoo just taught me a lesson. A tiny portion of my ego has been slain with His sudarshana and my faith in life is restored.