For as long as mortal eyes have viewed heaven, it had been an understanding that it’s a place of endless joy, comfort, and peace; a place that all souls enter no matter the size, and finally are at rest. Suppose even the most basic of beings most worthy of heavenly audiences, a moment of grace at the pearly gates is given the opportunity to say their deepest desires in this eternal paradise? In this endearing and funny story, a tired group of mice and a modest farm cat takes a completely different kind of afterlife experience.
The ancient farm cat, a creature that never uttered a word, who skulked on the wooden floor on a small farmhouse during frigigid winters, and who pounced prey and bugs from there. His simple days, however, far from provided him with amenities, made him a faithful friend to struggling family, and he was a person of quiet warmth, a presence devoid of flamboyance.
When he comes to the gates of heaven, the cat encounters a kind and understanding God rather than harsh punishment.
The good cat that you have been all these years, God whispers softly.
“Any
“I gave my whole life to a poor farm of a family, I slept on a hardwood floor,” the cat modestly and honestly replies.
God breathes out with such heavenly might and a kindly grin, “Say no more.”
Somewhat magically, a warm, soft fluffy, nasty, silky pillow pops out and is just perfect for naps. The comfort is finally something the cat knows, and after nestling into it, he has the best rest of his life.
A few days later, six tiny, worn out, squirmy mice turn up at the same gates. It had been spent running for their lives and coming very close to death. They had evaded traps and broomsticks, and claws of the sort never to have known peace.
They are told the same by God, “You can have anything you want but…” Simply enquire.
Gasping for air, for a lifetime that has been a life of terror, the mice beg: ‘We’ve had to run our lives.’ We have been chased by dogs, cats and even broom-wielding women. If we would simply have a pair of roller skates, we wouldn’t have to run.
God smiles, speaks and orders, “You need not say more.”
It also sees each mouse instantly dons a stylish pair of miniature roller skates that have been specifically designed to fit their small feet. They run, finally gliding then shrieking with delight and dashing into the lovely fields.
A week goes by. Ever calm, heaven hums with satisfaction. God has an interest in His new inhabitants and so chooses to see how the old cat is.
Laid out on his plush pillow, the cat has fallen sound asleep. Its fur gleams, its eyes half closed, it is content. He is nudged awake by God in gentle fashion.
“How are you? Are you content here?
The cat stretches and yawns long and contentedly, the cat says ‘oh, I have never been happier in my life.’ The greatest Meals on Wheels are coming from you.
The first impression of this story is, at first, purely a light-hearted joke, a traditional twist that makes one laugh. But the humour hides the sense of a message about reward, perspective, and the strange places where the dreams of humans intersect. Food and comfort is what he can perceive from the cat. Mice perceive speed and freedom. According to it, heaven gives but it may not do so in the manner one would seek.
This fanciful story asks us to consider how circumstances affect our lives and how even in our imagining we bring things from our worldly history into this imagined dream or our imagined afterlife. In addition, it reminds us that sometimes, our prayers will be answered simply by another person being included in the divine menu.
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