The Cat on the Path

Note: I published the original version of this story, which occurred in 2018, back in 2020 on my Instagram—which I rediscovered when prowling through my archives and felt inspired to share it again, with a few small edits made.

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I remember an afternoon reminiscent of laying next to a babbling brook on a warm summer day, a gentle breeze resulting in the perfect temperature.

However, there were no such waters or wind nearby, and fall was upon us.

You see, I was the brook. I was the soil, the stones, the snaking stream of refreshing, restorative water wending through and over the earth’s skin.

This afternoon found me sitting outside a rented home in North Vancouver’s forested suburbs, alone, a human sunflower—taking pause while my skin soaked up the sweet September sunshine.⁣

As I sat, listening to chirping birds and the occasional foot crunching gravel in the distance, my eyes happened upon a squirrel perched in a nearby tree.⁣

Our eyes met, it blinked, then scampered around the corner, out of sight.⁣

Naturally, I gave chase.⁣

I found the squirrel once more, doing much the same as before.⁣

Again I sat, I listened, I thought, I observed.⁣ Until, clearly wanting to lead me on an adventure of its own design, the squirrel ran away along a fenceline.⁣

We repeated our dance in the sunshine many times over. 

For how long, I couldn’t tell you—what I do know is that I ended up two blocks away from the house, down a footpath where I passed a young girl who looked at me as if she knew I was being walked by a squirrel.⁣

‘twas then that the squirrel left me for good—and so I turned around, making my way back, when I saw I’d been found by a feline.

A cat, in the middle of the path, seemingly waiting for me all this time.⁣

I couldn’t believe my luck, for my friend Michael, whom I’d left indoors while I ventured outside, had been telling me earlier of his love for cats. And here I was, presented with the perfect opportunity to deliver the perfect surprise.⁣

Cats being the unpredictable, whimsical animals that they are, one might think taming a cat on a path to be impossible. In most cases you’d be right.⁣

Perhaps it was the magic mushrooms I’d ingested earlier, that the squirrel had left the cat with instructions to be docile and calm, or just a friendly cat…

But whatever the case, after some gentle whispering, masterful purring, and sending of good vibes, the cat on the path allowed me to scoop her up in my arms, and I brought her straight to Michael for nuzzles, pats, and scratches.⁣

You should have seen the smile on his face when I showed up bearing a cat.⁣

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Stay tuned for more magical cat stories.

Have a great weekend 🐈‍⬛ 

With love from the forest,

~ Alexander Mullan