My Kittens

I had two slinky, lithe and graceful beautiful little kittens, Oscar and Layla. The first day when I brought them home, they were barely four weeks old and terrified. I wanted to grab the small fur balls from their little box and cuddle them to my heart's content, but they would not have me  come anywhere near them. Even when I tried to woo them with gentle words or toys, Oscar would growl at me in rejection.

My husband warned me that cats are usually snooty at first. It can take many days until they cooperate. Earlier when I saw how he needed brute force and perseverance to bathe them, I realized taming these kittens will not come without a few scratches and bites.

The kittens stayed hidden, quietly for many hours at first, folding against each other like tiny blankets. Finally when they grew hungry, like intrepid explorers, they scrabbled outside. I had milk poured out for them in a shallow, rose-patterned saucer and wet-snacks on the blue plate. As they licked and nibbled at the food,  they grew less tense. I fed them small portions of food throughout the day, each time stealing a loving stroke of their fuzzy coat.

The next day when I came to fill their feeding trays, they intercepted my footsteps at the ankles.Very slyly, very tenderly, seeking protection and caresses, the kittens' softly took their place at my feet. They poured their bodies on me like water, their meows massaging my heart. I couldn't deal with the overflow of happiness, they accepted me as their friend out of gratitude for  of a small token of food.

Ya Allah!
My Rabb!! You have been feeding me for so may years,
giving me to drink,
putting me to sleep so I can rest and freshen,
waking me up in the morning,
enabling me to walk and talk,
You have blessed me with enumerable blessings.
Then why don't I throw myself in sajda in affection and appreciation of You?
Why don't I serve You and obey You?

This is why Allah says,

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ قَلِيلاً مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ

"He is the One Who made you with hearing, sight, feelings and intelligence but very few are thankful" - Surah Mu'minoon, verse 78