The prodigal cat

I might have been written in my other blog about my favourite cat being Kimi (named after Kimi Raikonnen). When she was abandoned by her mother, I took care of her. I taught the tortoise-shell beauty how to catch cockroaches and geckos (yes, I can picture someone sniggering), grab flying creatures, climb trees and the customary cat aerobics. Presently, Kimi is 3 years old and behaves as if she is far older than me (maybe she is… in the cat world). But 2 days ago, she vanished along with her 6-month old kittens Angel and Longbottom. The kittens returned later but Kimi didn’t and we were very apprehensive. My mother was convinced that Kimi had been caught by a dog and my dad humorously tried to lift up the spirits by quipping that Kimi might have gone on a honeymoon to Shimla (where two local newly-weds had gone to). I laughed but Kimi was still missing. And at night, I prayed- ‘Lord, please bring Kimi home. You can do a miracle’.

Hey presto, in the morning, my mother woke up to find a very apologetic Kimi lounging on the couch. Hearing her excited cries, we gathered around Kimi, showering her with love and food (milk and fishes). The other cats (including her kittens) were watching this nonchalantly and seemed irritable when we denied their requests for milk and fish.

This reminded me of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Being the younger son of a prosperous landowner, PS was discontented with his life. He looked towards the dazzling lights of Paris/London/Knightsbridge and felt his future beckoning him. After persuading his father, he got hold of his share of money and left his home. In Paris/London, he descended into a life of debauchery and dissolution with his new found parasitic friends. In due course, his money ran out and his friends left him. Finding no employment or any solution, he ended up as a labourer at a pig farm. He spent his days standing along with pigs in the muck. Being famished, he would gobble down the food given to the pigs. In this situation, he might have thought of his previous affluent life at his father’s house- where he lacked nothing. Where were his friends when he needed them? Was his Oxbridge degree of any use now? Did anyone treat him with any respect? More importantly, why was he taking care of pigs, an animal not permitted to be eaten by Jews? (which raises a question- why was someone keeping pigs?). There was a time when he was flawlessly dressed in Armani but now he is wearing tattered clothes. He is now covered in reeking mud, but there was a time when he wore YSL and Davidoff and 2 glamorous supermodels on both arms. He used to be a socialite hosting banquets and turning up for gallery openings but now he was sharing the meals of pigs.

After swallowing his pride, he decides to return to his father, hoping that the father would give him the most menial job in his estate which would be far better than his deplorable state. I reckon that this must have been so humbling. Thus, the PS returns to his father who seeing him from afar, runs out to embrace him despite him being filthy. He commands his servants to clean him up and to attire him in the most expensive robes. Undoubtedly, the son would have been amazed. Why wasn’t his dad being harsh? Why wasn’t he caning him or telling him to get lost? Why wasn’t he asking him about the money? No, a father’s love is far greater…. He forgot his hurt and only longed for his lost son to return. In the meantime, his other son (the diligent heir) returns to find the servants preparing a great feast. He is very infuriated- why are they giving such a great reception to the dissolute who squandered away his fortune? Is he even worthy of being called as his brother? Then why is he being given the fish and milk? The father knows better- That which was lost is found, that which was dead is alive.