THE SMELL OF MY EMPTY HAND
“How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven.” – Robert A. Heinlein I n the staircase of the building where I live, there is a cat who has just delivered a couple of babies. She has occupied a tiny corner of the staircase on one of the floors… The household, that feeds this cat and her babies some milk or some food, is her – and her babies’ – annadhata . Every time I pass by this cat and her babies, I feel guilty that I don’t do what those neighbours of mine do… So, to cover up my guilt, I stop for a while near the cat and her babies and offer my empty hand… The cat stretches her face close to my hand to smell it… It’s the smell of the food I have just eaten at my home… But, that seems to make the cat a little happier... She offers herself to me for a little caressing… I can feel how much she loves it! And, then, I move on with my life! Today morning, the man of that kind household ha...