Moonshine


He had a handsome coat of Jet Black fur, which shone when the moonlight struck it. He was a sleek creature with everything to admire about him. Yet, he was disliked for what he was - a black cat in a Hindu household. He had been born there, raised by his mother in the backyard, behind the big pile of little things the family considered Junk.

He used to wonder why they screamed so much. There was a little girl who was always somewhat dirty, but he liked the little girl. She was always nice to him, and fed him table scraps, and gave him a saucerful of milk every night, along with little secrets of the house that she was scared to tell anyone else. Secrets about her, about the little things that she saw and felt everywhere… secrets that the rest of the world was scared to believe.

The mother had a shrill voice, and it irked his ears whenever the sound fell onto his ears. Every time he heard it, he used to slink away into the shadows somewhere. There was something accusatory about the way that the mother used to look at him, and at the little girl when she was with him. However, the little girl always used to smile whenever she was with him.

"It's important that we move from here. You've seen how Disha is always with that bringer of ill into the house? It's because of that evil omen that she is the way she is!" the mother screamed one evening.

"You really don't believe that now, do you? We live in the 21st century, and it's high time we realized that all this nonsense about ill omens and evil doers, none of that is true," the father said

"Are you now trying to deny the fact that our daughter is mad?"

"Don't call her mad. She's getting the best medical treatment there is. She's living with us, and that means we have the opportunity to love her as much as you can. You heard the doctors, more than anything else she needs all the love she can get. If she's happy with that cat, what's the big deal?"

"I don't like the way it looks at me, the way it runs away whenever I come near it. It's almost as if it knows it's doing something wrong. Disha doesn't know right from wrong. It's important that we move. I'm telling you, we'll move and you'll see how much of a difference it makes to Disha's health and…"

"Enough! We're not going anywhere. There's nothing wrong with this house, or the Black Cat that lives here, or the park in front of the house. It's a wonderful place for Disha to grow up! I don't want to hear anything more now; we are not going to move from here!"

Two weeks later, on a chilly evening, the bags were packed and the family moved to a newer locality. The reason they cited to the neighbors was that it was closer to the medical facility where Disha was being treated.

That night, the Black Cat waited for the saucerful of milk, and Disha's secrets. It didn't come though. With a sigh, he settled on the fluffy cushion that no one used anymore.

The full moon still shone brightly into the night, and his Jet Black Fur Coat shone. But that night, Disha missed the sight that made her the happiest in the whole world.

***

Image Courtesy helorits Miller.

16 comments :: Moonshine

  1. Loved this....

    A mother calling her own child mad...sad, but true. Most of us are victims of ignorance, unaware that a special needs child needs all the love that he/she can get.

    And god! I honestly await the day when this country's people will stop believing in all the crap about omens, ill doers and all the other highly interesting and equally stupid superstitions.

    Just one thing though, self inspired ?? [Sorry, couldn't help resisting it. ;)]

  2. Hey..this is beautiful.. Its unconventional and its nice..
    I guess its the fear in us that takes over, which is why we place belief in such superstitions.

    Anyway, let me not get started about Superstitions,this is indeed a wonderful post.

  3. A thought provoking narration there, mon ami... It was very well-knit and more importantly, it was based on something not many people talk about! (At least from the little I have seen in blogsville...)

    True... Superstition exists even today...But coming to think of it, who is to blame?

    Keep the posts coming...

    Peace. Have a nice day.

    ---
    Greetings Arnab,

    I must thank you for stopping by and voicing out. I appreciate your time.

    Hope to see you again.

    Peace.

  4. Hey, That was a good one!
    Superstitions still exist :( I guess they are bonded too deeply with the ways of life of people.

    It is sad that Disha was deprived if the happiness she used to get with the cat.People fall victim to all this even today :(

    Good that you captured this shade of Indian society.Its sad, but true

  5. Joy! Every time i visit your blog i am so plesantly suprised. There's always something thought-provoking about your entries, so much so that i'm forced to take a couple of minutes off to stop n think about it.

    :-)

  6. @ bondgal... I share every one of the views that you have. It's indeed sad that things are still blamed on superstitions and blind faith. It's really important for this country to get out of this mindset in order to prosper. Glad to see you liked it... and this is what it probably inspired the story :) although I think I know why you though it was self inspired.. hehe

    @ Netika... thanks for dropping by, and for sharing the broad-mindedness that's required in the day. It's nice to know that people of this generation at least are able to understand the futility of believing in superstitions.

    @ Kartz... It seems there are still very few people who realize how much we believe in superstitions, be it in the virtual world, or in real life, and the blame ultimately lies with us, the ones who stil believe in them. Thanks a lot for the comments, and I'll try my best to keep the posts coming as frequently as I can. Peace

    @ akanksha... nice to see the regulars still visiting the blog! And in a way, yes they are welded into our minds, so deep that it's become tougher than ever to let go of them. Like you said, sad but (probably) true... thanks a lot for the comments :)

    @ MeMyself... It's always nice to find out that the stories made someone stop and think a bit... glad you liked it, thanks... :)

  7. You have a brilliant ability to convey something dark and deep hidden underneath this simple and succint writing style...
    It a power you can make good use of!!Kudos...
    Will keep visiting...

    Cheers
    Diva

  8. @ Diva... Thanks a lot. The theme is something that has irked me for quite a while, so this was post was somewhat due for a while... glad you liked it!

  9. Lucifer Sam.
    A black cat crossed my way last wednesday; my car broke down midway, had to replace the battery :).

  10. @ Prashant... I'd like to say, coincidence. And I really hope that you don't blame the poor cat for this one! :D

  11. Another beautiful peice by u..
    we are in 21st century but nfortunately still we follow all this..
    doesnt matter we are literate or illetrate....

  12. @ Pallav... It's really unfortunate that in today's world, we are still stuck with the narrow mindedness that was rampant in the older days. It is important to be able to let go of these old superstitions... we never know who all are affected, and in what way, when we cling on to these beliefs. Thanks for your views and comments...

  13. Okay! Arnab...

    All I wanna do right now is get up from my chair... and clap for u..

    You are an awesome writer... I loved this small piece of fiction..

    You rock!! I donno wat else shud I say... it is amazing

  14. @ Harshita... Thanks for all the comments and the motivation, and keep hoping that ideas like this keep floating into my head so I can continue blogging... like someone said, it really is addictive!

  15. irrational, arrogance, superstition, ignorance... these would be the bane of human civilisation one day!!

  16. @ Sumit... Maybe, but then the way we're going, we've created a few more problems for us as well :) Thanks for dropping by here, really feels good to see someone going through the blog so thouroughly. Cheers...